South Africa-born tech billionaire Elon Musk said on Monday that he would give every child in the United States a share in his SpaceX rocket company.
“Next year, I will give one of my SpaceX shares to every kid in America,” Musk, the richest man in the world, posted to his record 241.5 million followers on X.
“This will be the first of many,” he said, without providing details about how the scheme would work.
He also made no mention of any gift for children in his native South Africa.
Next year, I will give one of my SpaceX shares to every kid in America.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 19, 2026
This will be the first of many.
Promise
There are around 73 million children under the age of 18 in the United States, according to 2024 data from the US Census Bureau.
Elon Musk, who is worth a reported $908.5 billion, owns 38 percent of SpaceX, according to Forbes.
His announcement comes after President Donald Trump promised last month to give every American adult $5 000 (R82 300) if his Republican party retains control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.
SpaceX set the record for the largest initial public offering in history, raising $85.7 billion in June.
The company’s Starship megarocket reached orbit for the first time in September, a milestone for the rocket central to Musk’s Mars ambitions.
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By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse