Days after Intel CEO talks Trump called ‘highly conflicted,’ the federal government is reportedly negotiating a stake in the chips champion

This kind of direct government investment in a tech giant marks a notable departure from the more hands-off approach favored by nearly all previous U.S. administrations. Traditionally, federal support for chipmaking came mainly in the form of grants or subsidies, such as those allocated under the CHIPS Act. Trump’s approach appears to favor direct equity stakes, echoing recent White House moves in other sectors, such as the federal government taking a “golden share” while allowing Nippon Steel to acquire U.S. Steel, and the Department of Defense buying $400 million in preferred shares in MP Materials, a miner of rare-earth minerals.

Motivations and political context

The rationale for this move centers on strengthening U.S. technological independence, with Intel being the only major semiconductor company producing advanced chips at scale inside the U.S. Its planned mega-plant in Ohio—originally announced in 2022 as a $20 billion investment—has faced repeated delays amid struggles to compete with global leaders such as TSMC and Samsung.

The semiconductor sector is increasingly seen as crucial for everything from smartphones to weaponry. Trump’s critics often cite “state capitalism,” but supporters argue direct support for Intel is essential for national security, technological leadership, and economic growth, especially as China, Taiwan, and South Korea pour resources into their own chip industries.

Intel has been reeling from a series of setbacks. In 2024, its stock lost 60% of its value—the sharpest drop in its history. The company missed key opportunities in AI chips, and its foundry business, aimed at producing chips for other firms, is reportedly struggling to win major clients.

Intel’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, was named after the board ousted Pat Gelsinger last year in an effort to accelerate a turnaround. Tan has already scaled back ambitions for the Ohio plant, deferring expansions and taking a cautious, demand-driven approach. His past investments with Chinese semiconductor firms drew pointed criticism after a bombshell Reuters investigation in April—so much so that President Trump publicly called for his resignation last week over allegations that Tan was “highly conflicted” with his ties to Chinese entities. Tan held a meeting with Trump at the White House since, which Trump called “very interesting,” adding that Tan has “an amazing story.” People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the current investment plan stems from those crunch talks.

Previous to Trump’s statement, four former directors of Intel published a commentary exclusive to Fortune, saying the company was likely to retreat as America’s chips champion. After the president’s statement, they advocated for a separation of Intel’s essential “Foundry” business that’s so core to national security.

Former Intel CEO Craig Barrett has since provided a commentary to Fortune about how to save the company, calling Intel “cash poor” and unable to afford “investments in the capacity needed in the future to replace [semiconductor rival] TSMC or even a reasonable fraction of TSMC capacity.” Barrett added that Intel probably needs a cash infusion of roughly $40 billion to be competitive. “Realistically that investment is 100% of the [Chips] Act Capital grants so unlikely the [U.S. government] is the savior.” Bloomberg subsequently reported that the Trump administration was considering using funds from the CHIPS Act to at least partially fund the purchase of an equity stake in Intel, citing people familiar with the matter.

The White House and Intel did not respond to Fortune‘s requests for comment.