Former President Donald Trump, despite facing a myriad of legal challenges and business setbacks, witnessed a remarkable surge in his net worth, reaching unprecedented heights of over $6.5 billion on Monday, according to Bloomberg.
This surge, exceeding $4 billion in recent days, is primarily attributed to a landmark merger between Trump’s social media venture, Trump Media & Technology Group, and Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC), a shell company.
The merger, which gained approval on Friday, catapulted Trump’s net worth due to his substantial ownership stake in Trump Media. Holding nearly 80 million shares, equivalent to roughly 58% ownership of the social media company operating Truth Social, Trump’s paper stock value soared to $4 billion based on DWAC’s closing price of $49.95 per share on Monday.
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As a result of the merger, the newly formed entity is slated to commence trading under the ticker symbol DJT, symbolizing Trump’s significant influence on the venture. The surge in DWAC’s share price by 35% during Monday’s trading session was further propelled by a favorable legal development—a New York appeals court ruling that significantly reduced the bond requirement for Trump to avoid immediate payment of a $454 million civil fraud penalty.
Earlier in the day, Trump encountered challenges in meeting the initial $550 million bond requirement. However, the court’s decision revised the bond down to $175 million, with a 10-day grace period. Trump expressed confidence in his ability to cover the reduced bond amount, providing a boost to investor confidence.
Trump’s inclusion in the prestigious Bloomberg Billionaires Index marked a significant milestone in his financial trajectory, although uncertainties persist regarding the sustainability of his newfound wealth. Restrictions preventing Trump from selling his DWAC shares for six months, coupled with the stock’s volatile history, underscore the inherent risks associated with his investment.
Despite the surge in Trump’s net worth, concerns linger over the financial performance of his media venture. Trump Media reported revenue of less than $3.5 million in the first nine months of 2023, accompanied by a net loss of $49 million during the same period. Analysts, including MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle, caution that Trump’s media venture is largely perceived as a meme stock heavily reliant on his persona, which may pose challenges to its long-term viability.
Bloomberg’s estimation of Trump’s net worth relied on comprehensive assessments, including ethics disclosures mandated for presidential candidates, public filings related to his significant real estate holdings, and staff reporting. While Trump’s financial fortunes have experienced a remarkable upswing, the sustainability of his wealth remains contingent upon the resolution of legal battles and the performance of his media enterprise.
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