Donald Trump has more than doubled his estimated fortune in just one year, from $2.3 billion to $5.1 billion, through strategic maneuvers involving his social media platform, Truth Social, and cryptocurrency ventures. Here’s how these two elements played pivotal roles:
Truth Social’s Public Debut
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, went public through a merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC), a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC). Despite Truth Social’s limited revenue and ongoing losses, the stock soared due to investor enthusiasm tied to Trump’s political resurgence and the speculative belief in his potential return to the presidency. At its peak valuation, Trump’s stake in the company was worth billions, significantly boosting his net worth even as the stock later lost much of its initial value.
The platform’s valuation reflects more on political sentiment than business fundamentals, with supporters and speculators driving its market performance. Trump retained his shares despite their volatility, securing a significant stake valued at $2.6 billion as of early March 2025.
Cryptocurrency Ventures
Trump capitalized on the crypto market by launching two major projects: World Liberty Financial (WLFI) and the $TRUMP token.
- World Liberty Financial (WLFI): This decentralized finance (DeFi) platform targeted underserved communities with promises of financial revolution through blockchain technology. The project gained traction after Trump’s presidential election victory, spurred by deregulation optimism and significant purchases from crypto influencers like Justin Sun. WLFI generated an estimated $390 million in revenue for Trump, translating to about $245 million after taxes.
- $TRUMP Token: Launched days before Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, this token blended political hype with internet culture. The token saw explosive growth due to speculative trading and Trump’s direct association. The project reportedly earned Trump at least $110 million after taxes from trading fees and other revenues.
Liquidity Boost
The combination of Truth Social’s public offering and crypto ventures provided Trump with nearly $800 million in liquidity, enabling him to address financial challenges such as mounting legal expenses and interest on a $500 million fraud judgment. While his real estate assets like 40 Wall Street faced declining values, Trump leveraged these new revenue streams to stabilize his financial position.
In summary, Trump’s ability to capitalize on investor enthusiasm for Truth Social and speculative interest in cryptocurrency allowed him to transform financial adversity into a remarkable rebound, doubling his fortune within a year.