Sam Altman Rejects Government Bailouts for OpenAI’s $1.4 Trillion Data‑Center Plans
OpenAI’s ambitious expansion plans continue to raise eyebrows. The company has committed around $1.4 trillion in data‑center and compute investments, yet its annual revenue run rate is only about $20 billion. This huge disparity has prompted investors to ask how the AI pioneer plans to fund its growth.
During a Wall Street Journal event on November 6 2025, OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar suggested the U.S. government could “backstop” or guarantee the company’s infrastructure loans, which would lower borrowing costs. However, that idea was criticized because a backstop would put taxpayers on the hook if OpenAI defaults. Many technology leaders argued that federal bailouts should not support AI firms.
In response, CEO Sam Altman publicly rejected the notion of government guarantees. He stated that OpenAI does not want any taxpayer-backed bailouts and believes private companies should bear the risk of their own loans. Altman clarified that loan guarantees might be appropriate for semiconductor‑manufacturing projects rather than commercial AI companies. The debate underscores the challenges facing AI firms seeking to finance massive infrastructure without relying on public support.
