Trump bought up to $5M in SpaceX debt before unveiling space policy: Report

US President Donald Trump purchased between $1 million and $5 million in SpaceX debt two days before signing a new space policy, according to his latest financial disclosure, The Washington Post reported on Thursday.

The August 2026 policy aims to strengthen the US space transportation industry and enable more than 1,000 launches and re-entries annually by 2030.

SpaceX, led by Trump ally Elon Musk, issued bonds this summer to finance spending on artificial intelligence data centers, its Starlink satellite network and Starship spacecraft.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle denied any conflicts of interest, saying Trump's portfolio was "independently managed" by third-party financial institutions.

"Neither President Trump nor any member of his family has any ability to direct, influence, or provide input regarding how the portfolio is invested or when investments are bought or sold," he said.

However, Ingle did not clarify whether an algorithm or an independent manager had specifically authorized the SpaceX purchase. A financial adviser cited by the newspaper said buying individual bonds to track an index would be unusual.

On Thursday, Trump presented Musk with the National Medal of Science, calling him "our modern-day Thomas Edison."

"You're my friend and all of that, but you are a very, very special guy," he added.