Sanders, Trump, and Altman Unite Behind 'Universal Basic Capital' Plan to Give Americans AI Ownership Stakes

Jul 02, 2026
The Atlantic
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Summary

Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, and Sam Altman are uniting behind 'universal basic capital,' a bold policy that would give every American an ownership stake in AI companies to fight extreme wealth inequality, though experts warn the leading version of the plan may carry serious unintended consequences.

Key Points

  • A growing number of political and tech figures, including Bernie Sanders, Sam Altman, and Donald Trump, are backing 'universal basic capital,' a policy aimed at giving every American an ownership stake in AI companies to combat extreme wealth inequality.
  • Unlike universal basic income, which relies on ongoing tax revenues and government checks, universal basic capital would provide citizens with equity accounts invested in a broad portfolio, compounding in value over time and shielded from shifting political winds.
  • While the policy holds promise as a hedge against AI-driven economic dystopia, experts warn that the version currently gaining the most momentum is poorly designed and could create its own serious consequences if implemented.

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