Um.
The Government did not technically give AIG $85B. I thought they gave them a short term loan. Now, if AIG defaults on the loan...then of course they gave them that money. However, AIG was going to go into default for paying interest on other loans...but AIG has long term assets they could not withdraw on to pay for the short term loans. AIG had a choice of choosing chapter 11 bankruptcy or a short term loan from the US. I thought Chrysler many years ago had a short term loan from the US Government too....
This short term borrowing is also only for a two year period. IF things work out, the US government will have the money back plus interest.
If AIG could fail, like ANY business, then the government would lose the $85B.