SpaceX president plans stock gift to Trump Accounts
Gwynne Shotwell said shares held by her family will be donated to about 2 million investment accounts for U.S. children.
By Sarah Jenkins · Chief Macro Economics Correspondent
· 2 min read
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said Monday that she and her husband plan to donate SpaceX stock to the Trump Accounts program, adding a high-profile aerospace executive to a widening group of corporate and wealthy backers. The shares are intended for about 2 million investment accounts for American children under 18, according to Shotwell’s post on X.
Shotwell wrote that the donation will include shares of SpaceX stock owned by her and her husband. She said the distribution would place “a bit more emphasis” on children living near their home in central Texas.
“We have been fortunate in our careers and hope this gift encourages the next generation to continue the journey of enabling humanity to live and fly amongst the stars,” Shotwell wrote on X.
Gift follows Trump comments on Musk
The statement came after President Donald Trump told CNBC’s Joe Kernen on Thursday that he believed SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk would donate company stock to the same program. Shotwell’s post identified her own planned gift and did not state that Musk had made a donation.
Trump Accounts are investment accounts for U.S. children under 18, according to CNBC. CNBC has reported that a growing list of companies and billionaires has pledged support for the program, including through employer matches.
A stock donation differs from a cash contribution because beneficiaries receive exposure tied to the value of the shares placed into the accounts, subject to the program’s rules and any limits on how contributions are allocated. Shotwell’s post did not specify the number of shares, the value of the planned transfer or the timing of the donation.
SpaceX, led by Musk, is one of the most closely watched private technology and aerospace companies, with businesses spanning launch services, satellites and human spaceflight. Shotwell is one of its senior executives and has long been associated with the company’s commercial operations.
The pledge links private company equity to a government-branded child investment initiative at a time when corporate participation in the accounts is drawing attention from policymakers, employers and investors. The economic effect for individual children will depend on the size of the contribution, the account terms and the future value of the donated shares, none of which Shotwell detailed in her post.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.
