Former US President Donald Trump's financial fortunes have dramatically increased. His net worth has skyrocketed to $6.5 billion, propelling him into the ranks of the world's 500 richest people listed on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The skyrocketing increase in Trump's wealth is attributed primarily to the completion of the merger between Digital World Acquisition Corp. and Truth Social owner Trump Media & Technology Group, which is set to be publicly traded on Nasdaq beginning Tuesday.
Merger Success Propels Trump's Net Worth
Trump now officially owns shares worth billions of dollars as a result of the merger, which had been ongoing for 29 months.
With his net worth soaring by over $4 billion, as estimated by Bloomberg, Trump now finds himself among the elite echelons of global wealth, a feat previously unparalleled in his financial trajectory.
In a recent statement, Eric Trump, the Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, conveyed the family's pride.
"We have a great company and are incredibly honored," he said.
In an interview with Fox News, Eric Trump previously expressed concerns about the $454 million bond required for his father, describing it as excessive and stating that bonds that size "don't exist in this country."
Trump's wealth had predominantly stemmed from real estate holdings, although his financial dealings have not been without controversy.
For years, allegations of inflating property valuations to secure favorable loans have loomed over Trump and his company.
The merged company, trading under the ticker symbol 'DJT' on the Nasdaq Stock Market, holds considerable potential, but experts caution that market enthusiasm may be overvaluing Trump Media given its financial fundamentals.
Trump's Net Worth Surges Amid $454M NY Civil Fraud Lawsuit
The uptick in Trump's net worth comes amidst the former president's legal and financial battles, including a New York fraud lawsuit, where he faced mounting pressure to post a bond exceeding $500 million by a Monday deadline.
Previous reports indicate that Trump encountered major difficulties securing financing for the initially larger bond as the deadline drew near. Allegedly, 30 insurers declined to provide the necessary funds, leaving Trump with limited options.
New York Attorney General Letitia James had clarified that she was prepared to initiate asset seizures should Trump fail to post the bond.
Fortunately for Trump, a state appeals court stepped in, slashing the bond requirement to $175 million, a sum Trump has promised to meet. This temporary respite was attained by agreeing to post the diminished bond amount within ten days.
According to Reuters, the decision by a mid-level state appeals court effectively prevents New York state authorities from immediately seizing Trump's assets, giving him a reprieve amid his ongoing legal battles.
Despite the windfall from the merger, Trump's recently acquired wealth is predominantly out of reach. His shares are currently under a six-month lock-up period, rendering him unable to utilize the funds to settle his court judgment.
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