The National Economic Council (NEC) Director, Kevin Hassett, has suggested that the US government could take equity stakes in more companies in the future as the Trump administration aims to build a sovereign wealth fund. In an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Hassett clarified that the government does not have voting shares in Intel, so there will be no government intrusion into the company’s business. He described the Intel deal as a “special circumstance” but said the public should expect similar types of deals with companies going forward.
Hassett emphasized that the president has made it clear from the campaign that the US would like to build up a sovereign wealth fund and expects more transactions in other industries. He also suggested that more deals could be forthcoming, stating that the CHIPS Act money is going out as planned, but taxpayers are getting a little bit of equity. Trump also suggested that more deals could be forthcoming, stating that it is not a shame but a business decision.