Trump bought SpaceX shares two weeks after blockbuster IPO
President Donald Trump bought as much as $50,000 worth of SpaceX shares on June 23, according to a financial disclosure first reported by Reuters.
Source: TechCrunch · August 24, 2026 at 10:24 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 AUGUST 2026 —
Trump Acquires SpaceX Shares Amid IPO Volatility, Closing Near Offering Price
Market Impact
WASHINGTON/KUALA LUMPUR — Former U.S. President Donald Trump purchased up to $50,000 worth of SpaceX shares on June 23, two weeks after the company’s record-setting initial public offering (IPO), according to a financial disclosure reported by Reuters. The transaction occurred when SpaceX shares were trading in the mid-$150 range, down from highs above $200.
By the end of trading on Monday, the stock had settled at its IPO price of $135, potentially placing Trump’s investment at a loss.
The disclosure did not specify the exact price Trump paid for the shares, though public records indicate the stock was valued between $150 and $160 at the time of purchase. SpaceX’s shares have exhibited significant volatility since its IPO, reflecting broader market uncertainty around high-growth technology companies. The company, led by Elon Musk, has faced scrutiny over valuation sustainability despite its dominant position in the aerospace sector.
Trump and Musk share a close relationship, despite a brief public rift in mid-2023 over the release of unredacted Department of Justice files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The dispute centered on concerns that Trump’s name appeared frequently in the documents. Analysts note that SpaceX has benefited from the Trump administration’s deregulatory approach, particularly in areas such as satellite launches and defense contracts.
A recent Wall Street Journal analysis highlighted the company’s growing reliance on government business, which has contributed to its financial performance.
A White House spokesman, Davis Ingle, stated that Trump’s stock portfolio is managed by third-party institutions and tracks broad market indexes such as the Schwab 1000. This structure suggests that SpaceX shares may be indirectly held by a wide range of investors through index funds. Prior to its IPO, SpaceX successfully lobbied index providers to adjust inclusion rules, accelerating its eligibility for major benchmarks.
As a result, retail and institutional investors alike may unknowingly hold exposure to the company.
The transaction comes at a moment for SpaceX, which continues to expand its Starlink satellite network and secure high-profile contracts, including NASA’s Artemis lunar missions. However, the stock’s recent performance—trading at its IPO price—raises questions about investor confidence in its long-term valuation. The company’s valuation remains heavily dependent on future revenue streams from space-based internet and reusable rocket technology.
For the Malaysian market, SpaceX’s IPO and subsequent trading activity offer limited direct exposure, as the company is not listed on Bursa Malaysia. However, the broader trend of U.S. tech IPOs and their impact on global equity sentiment may influence local investors’ appetite for risk. Malaysian institutional funds with international allocations could indirectly participate through index-tracking strategies.
Analysts suggest that while SpaceX’s near-term stock performance remains uncertain, its strategic positioning in aerospace and satellite communications continues to attract long-term interest.
Details not yet available regarding whether Trump’s purchase was made through a blind trust or personal account. The disclosure does not indicate the number of shares acquired or the holding period.
Related: Bursa Malaysia