Donald Trump's media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), recently experienced a turbulent ride following its debut on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Despite an initial surge in share prices, the company's value has seen a notable decline, now standing at over $7 billion. This figure may appear impressive at first glance, but it raises questions about the underlying financial health of the business and its flagship platform, Truth Social. Established in 2021 by Donald Trump, TMTG emerged as a response to the former President's removal from mainstream social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, due to alleged incitement of violence. The brainchild of two former contestants from Trump's reality TV show, The Apprentice, Truth Social was introduced in 2022 as the company's primary offering, aiming to provide an alternative to conventional social media platforms.
Despite claims of around 9 million Truth Social accounts created, the platform's user base remains undisclosed, with only an estimated 5 million monthly website visits reported in February. In comparison, popular platforms like TikTok and Facebook command billions of visits, highlighting Truth Social's limited reach. Financially, TMTG faced significant challenges in 2023, reporting a loss of nearly $60 million against a revenue of just $4 million from advertising. These figures cast doubt on the company's long-term sustainability, especially given its high valuation relative to its financial performance. Trump's involvement in TMTG mirrors his past licensing deals, with the company utilizing his name for promotional purposes while he retains a substantial ownership stake.
Notably, the company went public in March 2024 via a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), resulting in Trump owning approximately 57% of the combined entity, now known as Trump Media. The merging of TMTG with Digital World Acquisition Corp. attracted retail investors, with small-time shareholders making significant investments in the hope of supporting Trump amidst his legal challenges. Facing civil fraud charges and potential damages exceeding $350 million, Trump's financial outlook appeared dire until the merger propelled his net worth over $5 billion. While the rise in share prices initially boosted Trump's wealth, questions linger over the platform's ability to generate sustainable revenue and attract a broader user base.
With shares currently trading at around $50 apiece, Trump's stake remains substantial, but market volatility and the company's financial turmoil raise doubts about the viability of Truth Social as a solution to Trump's money problems. As investors wait eagerly to see the outcome of this high-stakes gamble, the fate of Truth Social and Trump's financial future hang in the balance, amidst legal battles and market uncertainties. In the world of digital media, success is far from guaranteed, even for a high-profile figure like Donald Trump.
