A new round of discussion surrounding Elon Musk's potential large-scale donation of his personal wealth has intensified on the social media platform X. Nobel laureate economist Daron Akemoglu publicly suggested that if Musk believes "money will no longer matter" by 2036, he should pledge to donate his current wealth of approximately $1 trillion by 2036 at the latest. Musk subsequently responded that he "will indeed do something similar," but did not elaborate further.
Economists publicly launched a proposal
At X, Acemoglu stated that this commitment could test Musk's true assessment of the future of AI and technology. He also suggested that recipient charities should be vetted by independent bodies to ensure the projects are effective and free from obvious ideological bias.
This statement directly addresses Musk's previous remarks about AI and the significance of future wealth. In a podcast aired in late 2025, Musk stated that he acknowledges the value of helping others, but also said that philanthropy is "very difficult."
The response is significantly different from past practices.
Musk's response is seen as a stark contrast to his long-standing philanthropic style. The report mentions that he has previously publicly criticized some large philanthropic donors, including MacKenzie Scott, and believes that some of these donations have negative consequences.
Compared to other super-rich individuals who consistently make large donations, Musk has always been relatively cautious in the realm of public philanthropy. Although he has repeatedly spoken about the future of humanity, technological progress, and the public good, his actual donation path has long lacked a clear and consistent public commitment.
The foundation is quite large, and its funds are still a focus of attention.
According to documents previously obtained by The New York Times, Musk's foundation was worth approximately $14 billion by the end of 2025. However, the report points out that most of his donations are directed towards his own business interests.
Of the approximately $370 million in donations received in 2024, about three-quarters went to a Texas-based nonprofit organization headed by Musk's key aides. The report suggests that the schools and projects operated by this organization are located near several of Musk's business facilities and also serve some of his employees' residential areas.
- Foundation size: Approximately US$14 billion as of the end of 2025.
- Donations in 2024: Approximately US$370 million
- Main destination: Most of the funds went to a related non-profit organization in Texas.
Currently, Musk has not specified whether the so-called "similar thing" refers to a one-time donation, a phased arrangement, or gradual implementation through a foundation. Due to the lack of key information such as a timeline, amount percentages, and recipients, this statement remains at the level of principle for the time being.
Additional information:The $1 trillion fortune mentioned in the report refers to external estimates of Musk's personal net worth, not the exact amount he has pledged to donate.
