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Former President Donald Trump is said to receive a substantial earnout bonus from Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). Based on the latest agreement, he is set to acquire about $1.25 billion worth of stock in the company.
TMTG is the parent company behind Truth Social, a social media platform launched in the spirit of free speech, intended as an alternative to the existing tech giants such as Twitter and Facebook. Trump has been de-platformed from the mainstream platforms following the aftermath of the US Capitol incident in January 2021. The launch of Truth Social is viewed as a strategic move by Trump to reassert himself in the socio-digital sphere post-presidency.
The staggering bonus Trump receives indicates his significant influence and value within the company. According to an announcement made by Trump Media & Technology Group, the extraordinary amount of $1.25 billion in stock would be issued as an earnout to TMTG executives, top-tier talent, and highly skilled individuals who make a substantial contribution to the company’s growth and earnings.
While the exact details of the earnout agreement remain opaque, it is understood that the distribution of the billion-dollar bonus would benefit Donald Trump personally. Financial analysts have suggested that such an agreement could bolster Trump’s fortunes, especially after recent reports indicating that the former president’s net worth has substantially declined following his term in the White House.
The launch of the Truth Social platform is one of the critical business moves by TMTG, demonstrating a strong resistance to the dominance of Big Tech companies. Truth Social claims to provide a platform for open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating against political ideologies. The platform is part of TMTG’s broader business strategy, which includes partnerships with other creators, influencers, news providers, and broadcasters.
However, the enormous sum of money going into Trump’s pocket has raised some eyebrows among Wall Street observers. While the financial investment makes sense from a business perspective, critics argue that it’s largely imprudent given the potential legal and reputational risks associated with Trump.
Regardless, the deal underlines the significant stake that Donald Trump holds in the social media sector and TMTG. The success of Truth Social will largely determine the future direction of not only TMTG but also possibly the broader landscape of social media platforms. It remains to be seen if Truth Social can disrupt the digital ecosystem dominated by Twitter, Facebook, and Google.
Implicit in this lucrative bonus is the recognition of Trump’s significant influence and potential to shape narratives in the social domain. Whether his new platform manages to shake up the established order, only time will tell. However, one thing is clear – even as a former president, Trump continues to have a significant impact, accentuating the fact that his influence goes beyond his tenure in the White House.