Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, has pledged to donate shares in the company worth approximately $324 million to benefit two million children through the newly established Trump accounts investment programme. The announcement follows the unveiling of the investment scheme by former President Donald Trump on July 4.
The Trump accounts initiative, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law last year, provides children under 18 with investment accounts that offer favorable tax treatment. Each account can receive contributions of up to $5,000 annually from parents, employers, friends, or guardians. Until the child turns 18, account management remains under the control of their parents or guardians. Once they reach adulthood, beneficiaries may access funds for expenses such as education or purchasing a home.
Additionally, children born between January 2025 and December 2028 with Trump accounts will receive a $1,000 government deposit to seed their investments. Trump characterized the program as a means to allow children to "have a good life" and benefit from a growing economy.
Shotwell, one of SpaceX’s largest individual shareholders, holds a stake valued at approximately $2.4 billion following the company’s successful initial public offering last month. She described her donation as an opportunity to inspire younger generations to pursue ambitious goals, particularly in advancing humanity’s presence in space.
The distribution of shares will emphasize children aged 11 to 17 from communities with lower average household incomes, with added focus on those residing near Shotwell’s home in Texas. This donation marks a significant contribution to the programme, complementing other recent commitments including a $250 million seed deposit from Micron and a $6.25 billion pledge from Michael and Susan Dell made in December.
The Trump accounts initiative aims to expand investment opportunities and financial security for young Americans, seeking to encourage long-term wealth accumulation from an early age.
