Truth Social Parent Company Gains Amid Trump’s Reaffirmed Commitment to Holding His Stake
Shares in Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) surged 15% on Friday, briefly halting trading for volatility after former President Donald Trump stated emphatically on his Truth Social platform that he would not sell his shares in the company. Trump Media, which owns the conservative-focused social media app Truth Social, experienced a sharp price increase following Trump’s post, which aimed to quash what he described as “fake, untrue, and probably illegal” rumors of his intention to divest.
Trump, who retains approximately a 60% ownership stake in DJT, reaffirmed his commitment to the company, emphasizing his belief in Truth Social as a core part of his media vision. With shares trading at around $32, Trump Media’s market capitalization sits near $7 billion, making Trump’s stake worth about $4.2 billion. This figure underscores the significant role that Truth Social continues to play in Trump’s portfolio and public persona.
In his post, Trump called for authorities to investigate those spreading rumors about his stake, which he attributed to potential market manipulation by short-sellers. “Truth is an important part of our historic win,” Trump wrote, referencing his recent victory over Kamala Harris in the presidential election, adding, “I deeply believe in it.” His assertive message appears to have reassured investors, driving the stock upward and adding to its recent volatility.
Over the past week, DJT shares have seen substantial fluctuation. Thursday saw a nearly 23% drop in the stock, erasing gains from earlier in the week when Trump was elected. Despite this dip, DJT shares remain up by 5% over the past five days and have posted an impressive 70% gain over the last month.
September marked a turbulent period for the stock, which fell to record lows after the expiration of a lockup period that initially boosted its debut value. The price began to rebound as betting markets, both domestic and international, shifted in favor of Trump’s potential return to the White House.
Truth Social, launched after Trump’s bans from mainstream social platforms like Facebook and Twitter (now X) following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, has faced ongoing competition and questions about its financial sustainability. Trump’s return to X in August after a year-long hiatus marked a shift in his social media strategy but did not affect his stated commitment to Truth Social.
While DJT’s stock price reflects renewed investor optimism, recent financial disclosures reveal a challenging road ahead for the platform. DJT reported a net loss of $19.25 million for Q3 2024, which, while narrower than the $26.03 million loss in the same quarter last year, shows sustained operating challenges. Revenue also dipped slightly, with Q3 revenue totaling $1.01 million, compared to $1.07 million in the same period last year, and has fallen 23% year-over-year for the nine months ending September 30.
As Truth Social seeks to establish itself as a significant player in the crowded social media space, Trump Media faces obstacles in generating growth and expanding its user base. Despite these hurdles, Trump’s personal commitment to the company may continue to drive investor interest, though market volatility is likely as political and economic factors evolve.
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