The billionaire says he intends to give one SpaceX share to every child in the United States next year, a potential $10.7 billion giveaway that could reach about 73 million young Americans.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced plans to give every child in the United States one share in his aerospace company, SpaceX, in a proposed giveaway that could be worth approximately $10.7 billion (₦14.27 trillion).

Musk disclosed the plan in a post on his social media platform, X, on Monday, October 19, 2026, promising that the initiative would be the first of several similar efforts.

“Next year, I will give one of my SpaceX shares to every kid in America. This will be the first of many,” he wrote.

If implemented as announced, the proposal could reach approximately 73 million Americans under the age of 18, based on figures from the US Census Bureau.

At SpaceX's reported share price of about $146 at Friday's close, distributing one share to each child would amount to roughly $10.7 billion in stock.

However, Musk has yet to provide details on how the distribution would work, who would qualify or whether the shares would be transferred directly to children, their parents or custodians. The proposal's final value would also depend on the share price when the distribution takes place.

Musk's Plan Follows Growing Push to Give Children Investment Opportunities

The announcement comes as the United States explores ways to give younger generations an early start in saving and investing.

The US Treasury Department recently enrolled millions of children in Trump Accounts, a savings and investment initiative that provides eligible children born between 2025 and 2028 with a one-time $1,000 government contribution.

Unlike the proposed SpaceX giveaway, which would involve company shares, the government-backed programme is designed to help eligible children build long-term savings through investment accounts.

Musk's proposal could similarly expose millions of young Americans to the world of investing, although the practical benefits would depend on how the shares are distributed, whether they can be sold and the conditions attached to their ownership.

Anthropic's $48bn Public Benefit Fund Sparks Musk's Response

Musk's announcement also followed a proposal by artificial intelligence company Anthropic to allocate at least five per cent of its shares to a Public Benefit Fund.

Based on the company's reported private valuation of $960 billion, the proposed allocation would be worth approximately $48 billion.

The fund is intended to support social causes through donations to non-profit organisations and direct payments to selected groups. Anthropic has also indicated that the money could help address some of the economic consequences of artificial intelligence, including potential job losses.

Reacting to the proposal, Musk advocated a more direct approach, arguing that shares should go straight to members of the public.

“I recommend giving the shares directly to the public. This is what I will be doing,” he said.

His response suggests a preference for distributing ownership directly among ordinary people rather than channelling the benefits of corporate wealth primarily through charitable institutions.

Tech Giants Face Questions Over AI, Jobs and Environmental Impact

The two announcements come at a time when major technology companies are under increasing pressure to demonstrate how their wealth and innovations will benefit society.

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence have raised concerns about potential job displacement, workplace disruption and the concentration of economic power in the hands of a small number of technology companies.

The expansion of AI infrastructure has also intensified scrutiny of the energy and environmental costs associated with building and operating massive data centres.

Against this backdrop, proposals to distribute corporate wealth through public-benefit initiatives have gained greater attention, although questions remain about their long-term impact and practical implementation.

For now, Musk's proposed SpaceX giveaway remains short on details. If carried out as announced, however, it would represent an extraordinary attempt to extend company ownership to millions of American children.

Whether the pledge becomes reality will depend on the eventual distribution arrangements and the eligibility rules Musk establishes ahead of the proposed 2027 rollout.