Elon Musk reportedly plans to merge SpaceX with xAI ahead of IPO

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  February 02, 2026 at 23:02  |  4:12  |  CNBC
Speakers
Morgan Brennan — Co-Anchor, Closing Bell: Overtime / Host, Manifest Space podcast (CNBC)
Mackenzie Sigalos — Crypto Reporter/Analyst, CNBC
Melissa Lee — Host, Fast Money

Summary

CNBC's Morgan Brennan and MacKenzie Sigalos discuss a Bloomberg report that Elon Musk plans to merge SpaceX with xAI ahead of a potential IPO. The conversation covers xAI's cash burn and weak commercial traction, SpaceX's stronger valuation and Starlink/government-contract base, and the strategic rationale of combining the two Musk entities. They also highlight SpaceX's satellite filing and long-term ambition for space-based AI data centers, while noting the merger and IPO are not yet public or directly investable.

  • Bloomberg reports Elon Musk plans to merge SpaceX with xAI ahead of an IPO.
  • SpaceX is valued around $800 billion and xAI around $230 billion.
  • xAI is described as cash-burning with limited enterprise and commercial appeal.
  • SpaceX's Starlink and government contracts are key revenue and scrutiny points for a potential public entity.
  • SpaceX filed with the FCC for up to a million satellites and is considering space-based AI data centers.
  • Starship's next test flight and future operational capability are cited as optionality not fully in SpaceX's valuation.
  • Space-based AI data centers face hardware, testing, and multi-year timeline challenges.
  • No direct public equity expression was named for SpaceX or xAI.
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