BREAKING: Local Man Discovers Government Owns 9.9% of His Favorite Chip Company, Blames Bernie Sanders

Chad Freedomburger, host of Liberty Hour with Chad, opens tonight's show sweating slightly, flag tie askew.

"Folks, they want to TAKE YOUR STUFF. Socialism is when the government owns the means of production. We will NOT stand for—"

A producer hands him a note.

"—hang on. 'Defense now owns 15% of MP Materials.' Okay but that's DIFFERENT, that's strategic, very patriotic, keep reading—"

Another note.

"'Government holds a golden share in U.S. Steel with veto power.' A 'golden share' sounds AWESOME. Communism doesn't have GOLD in the name. Checkmate."

His cohost ventures: "Chad, isn't this... the state acquiring equity in the means of production?"

"NO, because when WE do it, it's 'industrial policy.' When THEY do it, it's Venezuela. If you can't see the difference you probably drink oat milk."

His feed, scrolling live: - "AOC wants free healthcare?? SOCIALISM." - "Uncle Sam owns a fifth of a lithium company. Based. 🦅" - "Government controlling private industry is TYRANNY." - "Also buy gold, code CHAD10."

By sign-off, Chad has reclassified a government veto over a steel company's board as "just vibes," closing with "We're the party of small government" — directly under a chyron reading U.S. TREASURY NOW HOLDS STAKES IN 30+ COMPANIES.

Ratings: through the roof. Irony: also through the roof. Nobody's noticed.

                           Major Recent Government Stakes

Intel: ~9.9% stake (approx. $8.9 billion investment converted from CHIPS Act funds).

MP Materials: 15% stake (via $400 million in preferred stock and warrants; initial direct stake of 7.5% with options for another 7.5%).

Trilogy Metals: 10% proposed or acquired stake ($35.6 million investment).

Lithium Americas: 5% stake (plus a 5% stake in the Thacker Pass joint venture).

U.S. Steel: A "golden share" providing veto rights over major corporate decisions rather than a fixed equity percentage.

Westinghouse: Profit-sharing agreement with an option to convert into a 20% ownership stake.

Vulcan Elements: Holds $50 million in equity/start-up participation.

The Department of Commerce has announced minority non-controlling equity arrangements or letters of intent with companies like GlobalFoundries, Kepler, Multibeam Corporation, Extropic, Thintronics, OBSIDIA Semiconductors, Aeluma, and various quantum computing ventures (including IBM). Support The Decline Blog