'Risk of collapse': Trump Media stock in 'serious' jeopardy as Truth Social languishes
Shares of Trump Media Stock (DJT) are facing "serious risks" this week, according to a report by Forbes.
The publication noted that Trump Media management failed to hold an earnings call — likely at the request of majority shareholder and former President Donald Trump. Without an earnings call, investors "did not receive information about future plans and expectations of how things could improve" for Truth Social, the report said.
While CEO Devin Nunes must look out for all shareholders, he is legally allowed to focus on the interests of Trump, who owns well over 50% of the shares. This may explain why Nunes chose not to hold an earnings call.
Forbes noted that minority shareholders do not have a "strong investment reason" to hold on to the unstable stock, which was often received "as payment for services, as repayment of cash loans, or as low cost or free positions from the Digital World Acquisition origination and merger activities." Much of the stock will be able to be sold as early as September.
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Most of Trump's shares are locked up, preventing him from selling. However, the board could grant him an exemption, allowing him to sell some of his shares early while maintaining a controlling interest in the company.
"Therefore, selling now would allow him to capture current prices and raise cash prior to the expected September selling by others," Forbes explained.
The report also cited erosion in the Trump brand as a risk for investors.
"Trump Media stock is now down 70% in less than six months from the March 25 merger, indicating all is not well with the company. Second, Donald Trump has been absent from the company as he makes his run for the presidency, raising the question of when/if he will return," the report pointed out.
Forbes predicted that Trump Media stock could soon erase all gains made before and after the excitement of a merger earlier this year.
"At that point, many fans would face the possibility of DJT continuing to make its way downward until it reaches its low fundamental level," the report concluded.