Donald Trump is calling for an investigation of those who spread “fake rumors or statements” that he plans to sell shares in Truth Social, his social media platform.
The president-elect wrote on Truth Social this morning, “There are fake, untrue, and probably illegal rumors and/or statements made by, perhaps, market manipulators or short sellers, that I am interested in selling shares of Truth. THOSE RUMORS OR STATEMENTS ARE FALSE. I HAVE NO INTENTION OF SELLING! I hereby request that the people who have set off these fake rumors or statements, and who may have done so in the past, be immediately investigated by the appropriate authorities. Truth is an important part of our historic win, and I deeply believe in it. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Shares of Truth Social parent Trump Media and Technology Group declined 23% to $27.70 on Thursday, and declined further in after-hours trading, leading to some speculation that the stock would finish down for the week, when he won the presidential election. The shares started to recover even before Trump’s 10:05 a.m. ET post this morning, and now are trading at $30.80 per share.