President Donald Trump has offered public praise for Elon Musk following the billionaire’s announcement that he intends to give a share of SpaceX stock to every child in America next year. The proposed distribution represents an estimated $10.6 billion commitment based on recent stock valuations.
“A BIG THANK YOU to our legendary friend, Elon Musk,” Trump wrote on X, describing the proposed gift as an act of incredible generosity. The president indicated that the shares would be channeled through Trump Accounts, the investment vehicles established under his administration. He added that the initiative exemplifies public-private cooperation aimed at investing in younger generations.
Musk outlined the initiative earlier in the day on the social media platform, stating that next year he will give one of his SpaceX shares to every child in the country, and that it would be the first of many such actions. The president’s decision to post his response on X was also notable, as he has posted infrequently on the platform since launching his own network, Truth Social, following his 2021 ban from the service.
The scale of the proposed donation is substantial. With approximately 72 million children in the United States and SpaceX stock closing at roughly $148 per share, a single share for every child would total about $10.6 billion. The final valuation will ultimately depend on the market price of SpaceX at the exact time the stock transfers take place. Trump noted in July that he anticipated Musk would eventually contribute SpaceX stock to the program, despite past friction between the two.
Other prominent figures have already contributed to the initiative. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell and her husband previously pledged shares to cover more than two million children’s accounts. Additionally, Michael and Susan Dell contributed $6.25 billion to fund accounts for 25 million children, with an initial focus on lower-income ZIP codes. Musk’s proposed donation would surpass the Dells’ contribution in total value, provided SpaceX share prices do not experience a sharp decline.
Despite the enthusiastic reception from the White House, specific operational details regarding the giveaway remain unconfirmed. Musk has not yet clarified the exact eligibility criteria for what constitutes a child under his plan, the logistical mechanisms for transferring shares into millions of individual accounts, or the precise timeline for next year’s rollout.
The announcement underscores a continued rapprochement between Trump and the world’s richest man following a turbulent political and personal history. Musk contributed more than $200 million to help elect Trump in the 2024 presidential election, subsequently earning the moniker “First Buddy” during the early months of the administration before stepping down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency in May 2025. Following his departure, Musk publicly criticized a major legislative package backed by the White House, though the two have since reconciled.
In recent months, Musk has returned to heavy political spending, contributing approximately $276 million since July to aid Republican efforts ahead of the midterms, including $158 million directed to the Senate Leadership Fund. The pair have also made several joint public appearances recently, including an event where Trump awarded Musk the National Medal of Science, and a state dinner in September where Musk sat at the president’s table during a visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
