U.S. Government's Intel Stake Becomes Talking Point Amidst Proposed $5,000 Payout Plan
Intel shares experienced a 2.5% rise, trading near $102.84, following President Trump's reaffirmation of a proposed $5,000 payment to every American adult if Republicans secure both chambers of Congress in the November midterms. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that these checks would not be funded by tax revenue, instead pointing to the government's equity stake in Intel. The U.S. government acquired 433.3 million shares of Intel for $8.9 billion in August 2025, at an average price of $20.47 per share. At the current trading price of approximately $103, this stake is valued at roughly $44.6 billion, representing an unrealized gain of about $36 billion. This position makes the U.S. government the largest shareholder in Intel, holding approximately 9.9% to 10% of the company. While there is no legal lockup preventing the sale of this stake, such an action would contradict the strategic intent of the investment. Independent estimates suggest the proposed $5,000 payout plan would cost around $1.2 t...
