US President Donald Trump invested between $15,001 and $50,000 in SpaceX in June, according to a financial disclosure released this month, Reuters reported.
The purchase was made on June 23, less than two weeks after SpaceX held its initial public offering on June 12. Trump’s disclosure, signed on August 12 and made public on August 22, lists the investment among more than 1,000 stock trades he made in June.
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The investment gives Trump a financial stake in SpaceX, one of the largest US government contractors, which is led by Elon Musk, Trump’s former adviser.
The White House said Trump does not personally control the portfolio. Spokesman Davis Ingle said third-party financial institutions independently manage the president’s investments and replicate recognized indexes.
“Neither President Trump nor any member of his family has any ability to direct, influence, or provide input” on investment decisions, Ingle said.
The SpaceX investment comes as the Trump administration makes policy decisions that could directly affect the company. SpaceX holds major US military contracts and frequently seeks approval from federal agencies.
Trump on Thursday directed his administration to take steps to significantly increase the number of US commercial space launches, an area in which SpaceX is a dominant player.
The exact value of Trump’s SpaceX investment could not be determined because federal financial disclosure forms require officials to report asset values within ranges rather than giving precise amounts.
