President Trump just pulled off a semiconductor coup. On Sunday, he announced the U.S. government’s acquisition of a 10% stake in Intel, valued at roughly $10 billion.
The Daily Caller reported that this bold move, tied to CHIPS Act grants, aims to turbocharge American chip production. The deal hands the U.S. a non-voting 10% equity stake in Intel, part of a broader push to secure domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
It follows tense talks between Trump and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, with the government leveraging $7.9 billion in approved grants to seal the ownership deal.
Trump’s announcement sent Intel’s stock soaring nearly 6% on August 24, 2025, per YahooFinance. Investors clearly see this as a vote of confidence in Intel’s role as a cornerstone of U.S. tech dominance. But non-voting shares mean the government’s influence over Intel’s boardroom remains limited.
The Intel deal stems from a heated August 11, 2025, meeting where Trump pressed Tan over alleged Chinese firm ties. Tan stayed put, but the talks paved the way for this equity swap, announced after their follow-up meeting on August 24. It’s a pragmatic play to keep Intel firmly in America’s corner.
“The United States paid nothing for these Shares, and the Shares are now valued at approximately 11 Billion Dollars,” Trump boasted.
He’s not wrong—converting cash grants into equity is a slick financial maneuver that costs taxpayers zilch while securing a stake in a tech giant.
Still, the non-voting nature of the shares raises eyebrows. The government gets a seat at the table but no real say in Intel’s direction. Critics might argue it’s more symbolic than transformative, though the market’s reaction suggests otherwise.
This isn’t Trump’s first rodeo with corporate dealmaking. The administration also secured a “golden share” with veto rights in Nippon Steel’s buyout of U.S. Steel, showing a pattern of strategic government tie-ups. Unlike the progressive push for overreach, these moves aim to protect national interests without stifling business.
Trump’s deal with Nvidia, allowing H20 chip sales to China for 15% of the revenue, mirrors this Intel play.
It’s a calculated trade-off: global commerce with a patriotic cut. The administration’s knack for blending economic nationalism with market savvy is hard to ignore.
The Pentagon’s stake in a rare-earth miner further underscores this trend. From chips to steel to critical minerals, Trump’s team is weaving a web of influence to counter reliance on foreign supply chains. It’s a refreshing antidote to decades of globalist outsourcing.
The Intel stake hinges on CHIPS Act grants meant to boost U.S. semiconductor plants. Converting $7.9 billion in grants into equity is a masterstroke, ensuring taxpayer funds don’t just vanish into corporate coffers. It’s a model that could reshape how subsidies are doled out.
“Building leading-edge Semiconductors and Chips, which is what INTEL does, is fundamental to the future of our Nation,” Trump declared.
His focus on chips as a national security linchpin cuts through the woke noise about tech being just another industry. He’s right—semiconductors are the backbone of everything from iPhones to missiles.
Yet, the deal’s non-voting clause keeps the government’s hands off Intel’s steering wheel. This restraint avoids the heavy-handed regulation progressives love, balancing influence with independence. It’s a tightrope walk, but Trump’s team seems to have the footing.
Intel’s 6% stock jump shows Wall Street’s approval, but the deal’s long-term impact is murkier. A non-voting stake limits bureaucratic meddling, which conservatives should cheer, but it also caps the government’s ability to push strategic priorities. It’s a trade-off that’ll spark debate among MAGA faithful and skeptics alike.
The August 24 meeting between Trump and Tan, following their tense August 11 clash, signals a relationship under strain but still functional.
Trump’s push for Tan’s resignation over Chinese ties didn’t pan out, but the equity deal suggests both sides found common ground. That’s dealmaking, not drama.
