Aug 27, 2025 5:52pm (NPR)
In this photo illustration, the logo of Intel is displayed on a smartphone screen with US national flags in the background on August 23, 2025 in Chongqing, China Image: Li Hongbo/VCG via Getty Images
What happens when the federal government owns part of a company?
That’s one of MANY questions about federal policy right now, as the Trump Administration aggressively pushes for stakes — and oversight — of major private companies.
This week, the White House announced it was taking a ten percent stake in the struggling technology giant Intel.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the administration is considering similar moves with other companies tied to the defense industry, too.
Trump looks ready to turn the U.S. into a corporate stockholder. Should the government be in the business of … business?
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This episode was produced by Connor Donevan and Henry Larson. It was edited by John Ketchum. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
