Elon Musk has pledged to give every child in the United States one SpaceX share next year, estimating the initiative could be worth about US$10 billion, after rival artificial intelligence company Anthropic announced plans to dedicate 5 per cent of its shares to the public good.
“Next year, I will give one of my SpaceX shares to every kid in America. This will be the first of many,” Musk wrote on X, without explaining how he would carry out the plan.
The pledge followed Anthropic’s announcement over the weekend that it would allocate 5 per cent of its shares to a new public benefit fund, with plans to increase the contribution as the company’s market value grows.
Anthropic, the developer of the Claude AI assistant, is expected to list on the US stock market before the end of 2026. Analysts have forecast a valuation of between US$1.5 trillion and US$2 trillion.
Musk initially responded to Anthropic’s announcement by suggesting that the company distribute shares directly to the public. About 12 hours later, he announced his own proposal and pinned the post to the top of his X profile.
Based on SpaceX’s reported share price and the number of Americans under 18, the proposed distribution could be worth approximately US$10 billion, or A$14 billion.
Trump Accounts could facilitate share donations
According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk appeared to be considering using the US government’s new Trump Accounts investment scheme to distribute the shares.
The US Treasury Department has automatically enrolled tens of millions of children in the accounts and introduced rules last month outlining how wealthy donors could contribute shares to children’s investments.
The arrangements could offer donors tax benefits by avoiding capital gains taxes and providing deductions against other income, according to the report.
Earlier this year, SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell and her husband pledged to donate one share to each of the approximately two million American children covered by the Trump Accounts initiative.
Musk has not confirmed whether he will use the scheme or provided details about eligibility, the timing of the distributions or how recipients would receive their shares.
SpaceX shares trade at around US$150
SpaceX shares rose 1 per cent in pre-market trading on Monday, reaching approximately US$150. The company has lost about 9 per cent of its market value since its stock market debut in June.
SpaceX merged with xAI in February, helping underpin its reported initial public offering valuation of US$1.8 trillion in June.
Musk remains the world’s richest person, with Forbes estimating his fortune at more than US$900 billion. His wealth largely comes from his stakes in SpaceX and Tesla.
Musk unveils flying Tesla Roadster concept
The share pledge follows Musk’s presentation of what he described as the world’s first “flying” car at a SpaceX event on Thursday.
During a demonstration, the new Tesla Roadster sports car launched from a steep steel ramp, performed a full barrel roll in mid-air and landed on its wheels.
“Flying cars are real. It’s got altitude controls, thrusters and main thrusters in the rear. So it can basically fly like a rocket, it can do rolls, crazy gymnastics,” Musk said.
Tesla has not announced the car’s price. Musk said it would be “buyable”, while the company plans to begin production in 2028.
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