- Trump Media shares dropped 10% after insider selling restrictions were lifted, shrinking its market cap to $2.4 billion.
- Trump won’t sell his $1.4 billion stake, but the focus shifts to other stakeholders potentially cashing out.
OUR TAKE
Truth Social was initially seen as a vital platform for Trump to communicate directly with his base, especially after being banned from major social media sites like Facebook. A weakened financial position for Trump Media could reduce the platform’s ability to expand or compete with larger social media networks, limiting Trump’s reach and influence.
–Jennifer Yu, BTW reporter
What happened
Shares of Donald Trump’s media company fell 10% on Monday, hitting a new low after insider selling restrictions were lifted. This marks the sixth consecutive decline for Trump Media & Technology Group, now valued at $2.4 billion.
The stock, tied to the Truth Social app, closed at $12.15, its lowest since debuting in March, and has dropped 17% since restrictions ended last Thursday. Trump Media, once valued at nearly $10 billion, surged after its Wall Street debut but has steadily lost ground, with losses accelerating since President Biden’s re-election bid in July.
Despite this, Trump leads in key battleground states against vice president Kamala Harris, according to a New York Times/Siena poll. PredictIt contracts for a Trump win were trading at 46 cents on Monday, down from 69 cents in mid-July.
Trump, whose stake in the company is now worth about $1.4 billion, said he does not plan to sell his shares, leaving other stakeholders in focus for potential sell-offs.
Also read: Trump media shares surge amidst legal storm
Also read: Trump says he is not selling his shares of media company
Why it’s important
The financial health of Trump Media & Technology Group, particularly its platform Truth Social, is closely tied to Donald Trump’s political brand.
A significant decline in the company’s stock could weaken his influence among supporters and donors, especially as he campaigns for a second term in the 2024 presidential election. A falling stock price may undermine perceptions of Trump’s business success, which is a key part of his political appeal.
Besides, the sharp drop in stock following the lifting of insider selling restrictions indicates potential instability within the company. If major stakeholders begin to sell their shares, it could trigger further declines, shaking investor confidence and sending negative signals to the market about the company’s long-term viability.
This could also affect retail traders who had speculatively invested in Trump Media, potentially leading to financial losses.
