The Promise and the Peril of Trump’s Socialism

On August 25, 2025, the U.S. government became a part-owner of Intel, converting billions in subsidies into nearly a 10% public stake. Supporters call it common sense: if taxpayers bankroll success, they should share in the upside. Critics warn it edges too close to state control. Both concerns are valid. The real choice now is between politicized ownership, where companies bend to partisan pressure or a civic endowment that benefits everyone. The Prosperity Loop points to a better path: place these stakes in an independent National Wealth Fund, managed at arm’s length from politicians, and recycle the returns into a Freedom Dividend for every household. Done right, public investment can strengthen markets and spread prosperity.