Former President Donald Trump’s Truth Social app made waves as it debuted on the NASDAQ stock market, marking a significant milestone nearly three decades after Trump used the same platform to launch a publicly traded hotel and casino company. The merger between Trump Media and Digital World Acquisition Corp. propelled the company to become publicly traded, boosting Trump’s net worth by almost $4 billion. Despite reporting revenue of less than $3.5 million in the first three quarters of 2023, Trump Media’s market valuation could reach $6 billion, highlighting the controversial nature of the venture.
The SPAC merger between Trump Media and DWAC became the most high-profile one yet, driven largely by Trump’s name recognition. Shareholders are hopeful that the Truth Social app will gain enough market share to turn a profit, especially if Trump is reelected as president in November. However, Trump Media currently operates as a money-losing entity, reporting losses of $49 million in the first nine months of 2023, dwarfing its revenue figures significantly. The history of Trump’s previous publicly traded company under the DJT ticker symbol also sheds light on the company’s financial struggles in the face of public scrutiny.
Despite its initial success, Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts eventually faced bankruptcy after failing to turn a profit, similar to Trump Media’s current predicament. Trump’s personal gains from the company did not translate into long-term financial stability, as the business faced significant challenges. The story of Trump Media’s market debut and financial performance serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of mixing politics, business, and public scrutiny in a high-stakes environment.