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The Defense Plant Corporation (DPC) was established by the Roosevelt administration to finance U.S. defense production before and during World War II. It successfully funded the construction of over 2,300 facilities, accounting for a significant portion of wartime production capacity, by retaining ownership of plants and leasing them to private operators.

Recent actions by the Trump administration to establish a U.S. sovereign wealth fund for strategic industries echo the DPC's model but raise questions on governance and accountability. The DPC's history highlights the importance of effective governance and the necessity of government involvement in strategic investments.