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Musk says he will give one SpaceX share to every US child next year
In short
Elon Musk said on X that next year he will give one of his SpaceX shares to every child in the US, calling it the first of many actions. Chinese outlets put the potential value at about $10.5 billion, based on roughly 72 million US children under 18 and a share price of $146.03. Musk has not explained how it would work; Yicai reported that US President Donald Trump said the shares would go through Trump Accounts.
Why it matters
If carried out, the gift would be larger than the $6.25 billion Michael and Susan Dell pledged to Trump Accounts, according to cnBeta. Outlets describe it as part of a wave of wealthy donors and companies offering money or equity to the public, though the mechanism and final value remain open.
Key facts
- Musk posted on X that next year he will give one of his SpaceX shares to every US child, adding that this would be the first of many actions. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
- cnBeta and Huxiu put the potential total at about $10.5 billion, using about 72 million US residents under 18 and a SpaceX close of $146.03 on 16 October. [ 4 , 6 ]
- Yicai used a Monday close of $147.96 and 72 to 73 million children, giving a range of about $10.6 billion to $10.8 billion. [ 7 ]
- Musk holds about 4.8 billion SpaceX shares, or about 6.4 billion counting unvested awards and options, according to cnBeta and Huxiu. [ 4 , 6 ]
- Yicai reported that Trump said on social media the shares would be donated through Trump Accounts, and thanked Musk. [ 7 ]
- SpaceX completed its IPO in June 2026. [ 4 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Musk announced on X that he will give one SpaceX share to every US child next year, as the first of a series of actions. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
- The announcement followed Anthropic's plan to put 5% of its equity into a new public-interest fund; Musk had replied that shares should be given directly to the public and that he would do so. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell and her husband had earlier announced donations of SpaceX shares to children, worth more than $320 million at the time. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- The potential total is estimated at roughly $10.5 billion or more, based on about 72 million US children and the SpaceX share price. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- How the gift will be carried out Yicai said Musk gave no details. cnBeta said it is unclear whether shares would be held directly by children, or through custodial accounts, trusts or other arrangements.
- Whether the shares will go through Trump Accounts Yicai reported Trump said they would, and Huxiu said the shares would be directed to Trump Accounts. cnBeta said there was no clear information on whether the plan could link to the Trump Accounts system.
- Who is eligible cnBeta said it is not clear whether all under-18s are covered, how teenagers who turn 18 in the meantime are handled, or whether newborns qualify.
- The final value of the gift cnBeta said the $10.5 billion figure is only an estimate at the current price and will change with the SpaceX share price. Yicai's price gives a higher range.
- SpaceX's total share count 36Kr cited data showing about 8.1 billion shares outstanding. Huxiu said Musk's roughly 6.4 billion shares are 48.4% of the total. The two figures do not match.
- What further actions Musk plans cnBeta said Musk did not say whether he will give shares to other groups, or how large later steps would be.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reported Musk's pledge on 19 October. [ 1 ]
- 36Kr published its report, noting the 'first of many actions' remark. [ 2 ]
- IT Home reported Musk's pinned post on X. [ 3 ]
- cnBeta published an account with a value estimate of about $10.5 billion. [ 4 ]
- TMTPost carried the pledge in its morning roundup on 20 October. [ 5 ]
- Yicai reported Trump's statement that the shares would go through Trump Accounts. [ 7 ]