At a Michigan rally, former President Donald Trump starkly claimed the U.S. could "cease to exist" without his November election victory, stirring controversy with his dire predictions and remarks on migrant crime.
This claim was reported by RadarOnline, highlighting a speech that was filled with contentious statements and predictions.
In his address, Trump engaged in fear-mongering, reiterating previous assertions that the nation was on the brink of a "bloodbath" due to crimes committed by migrants. A line of law enforcement officers was present on stage as he spoke, underscoring his message on crime and security.
Trump attributed rising crime rates to immigrants, derogatorily referring to them as "animals" and levying unfounded allegations that nations such as China were deliberately sending "military age" men across U.S. borders. Amid these remarks, Trump positioned himself as a crucial figure for the country's salvation.
"Because if we don’t win on November 5th, I think our country is going to cease to exist," Trump declared to his audience. "It could be the last election we ever have. I actually mean that. We don’t win, I think this could be the last election we ever have. That’s where our country’s going," he warned (via Yahoo News), painting a grim picture of the future should his campaign not be successful.
The former president, who faces a trial in his hush-money case scheduled for April 15, intensified his rhetoric by discussing the supposed "victims" of what he termed "Biden migrant crime," promising that such crimes would not occur under his administration.
The remarks made in Grand Rapids have sparked significant backlash, with critics and anti-MAGA politicians voicing concerns over the implications for democracy should Trump be re-elected. They fear that a second term could enable Trump to seek retribution against political opponents.
These comments, made on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), reflect a broad spectrum of outrage and concern in response to Trump's assertions, underlining the polarized reaction to his campaign rhetoric and the profound divisions within the political landscape of the United States.
Meanwhile, the share price of Donald Trump's media venture has seen fluctuations since its recent listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange, but the company still boasts a valuation of more than $7 billion. This valuation is remarkable considering the nascent stage of the business represented primarily by the social media platform Truth Social, BBC reported.
Founded in 2021, following Trump's departure from the presidency and his suspension from major social media outlets for incitement allegations, Trump Media & Technology Group aimed to provide an alternative to mainstream social media platforms. The venture was proposed by two former contestants of Trump's reality show, "The Apprentice."
In 2022, Trump Media introduced Truth Social, its first and only product thus far. The platform mirrors functionalities of X (formerly Twitter), enabling users to post 'truths,' 'retruths,' and direct messages, while advertisements are dubbed 'sponsored truths.'
Regarding user engagement, Trump Media has claimed the creation of approximately 9 million Truth Social accounts. However, external estimates by research firm SimilarWeb in February suggested around 5 million monthly website visits for Truth Social, significantly lower than its mainstream counterparts.
Donald Trump maintains around 7 million followers on Truth Social, a sharp contrast to his 87 million followers on X. Despite having his X account reinstated at the end of 2022, Trump has seldom used the platform since.
Financially, Trump Media has yet to turn a profit, reporting a nearly $60 million loss in 2023 against $4 million in advertising revenue. This financial performance, juxtaposed with the company's stock valuation at approximately $7 billion, underscores a significant disparity between the company's market value and its revenue generation.
Trump Media went public in March 2024 through a SPAC merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp, with Trump owning about 57% of the combined entity, now trading under the ticker DJT. The Kuwaiti investment firm ARC Global Investments holds a 6.9% stake, making it the next largest shareholder.
The announcement of Trump Media going public in 2021 energized small investors, reminiscent of the meme stock phenomenon, leading to a surge in Digital World's share price. As of the end of 2023, large financial institutions owned a minimal portion of Digital World stock, indicating a significant ownership by individual investors.
Amid Donald Trump's legal challenges, including a civil fraud case judgment ordering him to pay over $350 million in damages, the financial success of Trump Media is observed by some as a potential source of financial relief for Trump. Following the SPAC merger, Forbes reported Trump's net worth surged to over $5 billion, though he is restricted from selling his shares for six months without a waiver.
With shares initially soaring to over $70 upon its Nasdaq debut and currently trading around $50, Trump's stake is valued at $4.1 billion. This valuation persists despite the stock's volatility, maintaining its pre-launch level and tripling in value from early 2024. Even in a hypothetical share price drop, Trump stands to gain substantially should he decide to sell.
