Elon Musk to give one SpaceX share to every US child in 2025

Elon Musk said on Tuesday that he will give one SpaceX share to every child in the United States beginning in 2025. With roughly 72 million minors in the country, the giveaway would represent about $10.5 billion in stock at today’s valuation. The plan will be rolled out through a new custodial‑account program that Musk’s team will set up with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval.

Musk’s pledge comes as his net worth has swung dramatically over the past year, driven by Tesla’s volatile share price and SpaceX’s latest funding round that lifted the company’s valuation above $150 billion. The billionaire has faced criticism for the size of his fortune while the United States grapples with widening income inequality. In recent months, he has hinted at using his wealth for “public good” and has already donated Tesla shares to a few charitable causes. Giving SpaceX stock to children could also lower his future tax bill, a move analysts say aligns with recent trends among ultra‑rich donors who favor asset‑based philanthropy.

If the plan proceeds, each child would receive a fraction of a share held in a trust until they reach adulthood. The shares would be non‑voting and could not be sold until the child turns 18. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Education advocates applaud the potential for a lifelong financial asset, while some lawmakers warn that the giveaway could skirt tax rules and raise questions about corporate governance. SpaceX’s board has not yet commented, but insiders say the company is preparing the legal paperwork required for a mass distribution of private‑company stock.

The next steps involve filing a Form S‑8 with the SEC to register the shares for the program and setting up the custodial infrastructure. Musk has said the first batch will be delivered in the first quarter of 2025, with the full rollout completed by the end of that year. If successful, the move could set a new precedent for billionaire philanthropy and spark debate over how private‑company wealth is shared with the public.