U.S. government acquires Intel shares, Trump: "It's not shameful, it's business"

On August 25 local time, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to reporters' questions at the White House, stating that it is "good for the company" for U.S. chip manufacturer Intel Corporation to give approximately 10% of its shares to the U.S. government. He claimed that he "made tens of billions of dollars for the United States in one go" and that if such opportunities arise again in the future, he "would do it again." Trump said that although some people call this "shameful," "it's not shameful, it's called business."

On August 22, Intel announced an agreement with the U.S. government, under which the U.S. government will invest $8.9 billion in Intel common stock to acquire a 9.9% stake in the company. Upon successful completion of the transaction, the U.S. government will become a major shareholder of Intel. According to Intel's statement, the funding for the U.S. government's acquisition comes from $5.7 billion in previously awarded but unpaid subsidies under the CHIPS and Science Act, along with another $3.2 billion in government-funded project funds. The U.S. government's investment in Intel is passive, entitling it to no board seats, governance rights, or information rights. The government has also agreed to align with the company's board of directors on matters requiring shareholder approval, except in very rare exceptions.