Trump Media Alerts SEC to Potential Manipulation of DJT stock
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) has alerted the SEC about potential market manipulation of its stock. The company sent a memo on April 17, 2025, expressing concerns about suspicious trading activity, particularly regarding a U.K.-based hedge fund Qube Research & Technologies' disclosure of a nearly six-million share short position filed in Germany.
The company highlighted several concerning points: Qube's disclosure location (Germany) despite being U.K.-based with an Iceland data center, the total DJT short interest remaining steady at approximately 11 million shares (as of April 16, 2025), and the inability to confirm when Qube's reported trades were conducted. TMTG also noted DJT's previous appearance on Nasdaq's Regulation SHO Threshold Security List for over two months in 2024.
TMTG has requested an immediate investigation into potential illegal naked short selling of DJT shares, urging transparency in American equities exchanges.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) ha segnalato alla SEC una possibile manipolazione del mercato delle sue azioni. L'azienda ha inviato un promemoria il 17 aprile 2025, esprimendo preoccupazioni riguardo a un'attività di trading sospetta, in particolare in relazione alla dichiarazione di una posizione short di quasi sei milioni di azioni da parte del fondo hedge britannico Qube Research & Technologies, depositata in Germania.
L'azienda ha evidenziato diversi punti preoccupanti: la sede della dichiarazione di Qube (Germania) nonostante sia basata nel Regno Unito con un data center in Islanda, il mantenimento stabile dell'interesse short totale su DJT a circa 11 milioni di azioni (al 16 aprile 2025) e l'impossibilità di confermare quando siano state effettuate le operazioni riportate da Qube. TMTG ha inoltre ricordato la precedente presenza di DJT nella lista Nasdaq Regulation SHO Threshold Security per oltre due mesi nel 2024.
TMTG ha richiesto un'indagine immediata su una possibile vendita allo scoperto illegale "naked" delle azioni DJT, sollecitando maggiore trasparenza negli scambi azionari americani.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) ha alertado a la SEC sobre una posible manipulación del mercado de sus acciones. La empresa envió un memorando el 17 de abril de 2025, expresando preocupaciones sobre una actividad de trading sospechosa, especialmente en relación con la divulgación de una posición corta de casi seis millones de acciones por parte del fondo de cobertura británico Qube Research & Technologies, presentada en Alemania.
La compañía destacó varios puntos preocupantes: la ubicación de la divulgación de Qube (Alemania) a pesar de ser con sede en Reino Unido y tener un centro de datos en Islandia, el interés corto total en DJT que se mantiene estable en aproximadamente 11 millones de acciones (al 16 de abril de 2025), y la imposibilidad de confirmar cuándo se realizaron las operaciones reportadas por Qube. TMTG también señaló la aparición previa de DJT en la lista Nasdaq Regulation SHO Threshold Security durante más de dos meses en 2024.
TMTG ha solicitado una investigación inmediata sobre una posible venta en corto ilegal "naked" de las acciones de DJT, instando a la transparencia en los mercados bursátiles estadounidenses.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT)는 자사 주식의 잠재적 시장 조작 가능성에 대해 SEC에 경고했습니다. 회사는 2025년 4월 17일 메모를 보내 의심스러운 거래 활동에 대한 우려를 표명했으며, 특히 영국에 본사를 둔 헤지펀드 Qube Research & Technologies가 독일에 신고한 약 600만 주의 공매도 포지션과 관련된 내용입니다.
회사는 몇 가지 우려되는 점을 강조했습니다: Qube가 영국에 본사를 두고 아이슬란드 데이터 센터를 운영함에도 불구하고 독일에서 신고한 점, 2025년 4월 16일 기준 DJT 총 공매도 잔고가 약 1,100만 주로 안정적으로 유지되고 있는 점, 그리고 Qube가 신고한 거래 시점을 확인할 수 없는 점입니다. 또한 TMTG는 DJT가 2024년 2개월 이상 나스닥 Regulation SHO 임계 보안 목록에 올랐던 사실도 언급했습니다.
TMTG는 DJT 주식에 대한 불법 나체 공매도 가능성에 대해 즉각적인 조사를 요청하며 미국 주식 거래소의 투명성을 촉구했습니다.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) a alerté la SEC concernant une possible manipulation du marché de ses actions. La société a envoyé un mémo le 17 avril 2025, exprimant des inquiétudes au sujet d'activités de trading suspectes, notamment en ce qui concerne la déclaration d'une position vendeuse à découvert de près de six millions d'actions par le fonds spéculatif britannique Qube Research & Technologies, déposée en Allemagne.
La société a souligné plusieurs points préoccupants : le lieu de déclaration de Qube (Allemagne) alors qu'il est basé au Royaume-Uni avec un centre de données en Islande, l'intérêt vendeur total sur DJT restant stable à environ 11 millions d'actions (au 16 avril 2025), et l'impossibilité de confirmer la date des transactions rapportées par Qube. TMTG a également noté la présence antérieure de DJT sur la liste Nasdaq Regulation SHO Threshold Security pendant plus de deux mois en 2024.
TMTG a demandé une enquête immédiate sur une possible vente à découvert illégale dite "naked" des actions DJT, appelant à plus de transparence sur les marchés boursiers américains.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) hat die SEC auf mögliche Marktmanipulationen bei seinen Aktien aufmerksam gemacht. Das Unternehmen sandte am 17. April 2025 ein Memo, in dem es Bedenken bezüglich verdächtiger Handelsaktivitäten äußerte, insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit der Offenlegung einer Short-Position von fast sechs Millionen Aktien durch den in Großbritannien ansässigen Hedgefonds Qube Research & Technologies, die in Deutschland eingereicht wurde.
Das Unternehmen hob mehrere besorgniserregende Punkte hervor: den Ort der Offenlegung von Qube (Deutschland), obwohl der Fonds in Großbritannien ansässig ist und ein Rechenzentrum in Island betreibt, das stabile Short-Interesse an DJT von etwa 11 Millionen Aktien (Stand 16. April 2025) sowie die Unfähigkeit, den Zeitpunkt der gemeldeten Trades von Qube zu bestätigen. TMTG wies außerdem darauf hin, dass DJT im Jahr 2024 über zwei Monate lang auf der Nasdaq Regulation SHO Threshold Security List stand.
TMTG forderte eine sofortige Untersuchung möglicher illegaler Naked-Short-Verkäufe von DJT-Aktien und drängt auf Transparenz an den US-amerikanischen Aktienbörsen.
- Company taking proactive measures to address potential market manipulation
- Engagement with multiple regulatory bodies (SEC, FINRA, Nasdaq, NYSE) for oversight
- Potential illegal naked short selling affecting stock performance
- Suspicious trading activity and unclear trade execution timing
- Extended presence on Nasdaq's Regulation SHO Threshold Security List indicating settlement issues
Insights
TMTG's SEC complaint about potential naked short selling raises serious allegations but lacks regulatory confirmation; impact remains speculative pending investigation.
This formal complaint to the SEC represents a significant escalation in TMTG's concerns about potentially illegal trading practices affecting its stock. The company has identified several suspicious patterns that warrant examination:
First, the disclosure mechanics are unusual - a UK-based hedge fund with an Icelandic data center disclosing a substantial short position in Germany rather than through U.S. channels raises jurisdictional red flags. This cross-border reporting pattern could potentially be designed to exploit regulatory gaps.
Second, TMTG highlights the Regulation SHO Threshold Security List appearance for over two months in 2024. For context, stocks only appear on this list when there are significant failures to deliver shares for five consecutive settlement days, typically indicating potential naked short selling where traders sell shares they haven't actually borrowed.
The discrepancy between Qube's reported short position (nearly 6 million shares) and the relatively stable overall short interest (approximately 11 million shares) suggests either reporting inconsistencies or potentially undisclosed trading activity.
While these concerns merit investigation, it's crucial to note this represents unilateral allegations from the company without regulatory confirmation. The SEC typically investigates such claims confidentially, with proceedings that can take months to years. Similar cases have resulted in outcomes ranging from no action to substantial fines and trading restrictions, depending on evidence uncovered during investigation.
TMTG's naked shorting allegations highlight potential market mechanics issues, but remain unproven claims without immediate proven impact on share value.
This SEC complaint touches on complex market mechanics that could affect DJT shareholders if substantiated. Naked short selling - selling shares without first borrowing them - can artificially increase supply and potentially depress stock prices below their natural market value. Unlike legitimate short selling, which provides market liquidity and price discovery, naked shorting can distort market dynamics.
The reported short interest of approximately 11 million shares requires context - without knowing what percentage of DJT's float this represents, it's difficult to assess whether this level is unusual or concerning. For many actively traded stocks, short interest of 10-20% is not uncommon.
TMTG's extended presence on the Regulation SHO list in 2024 does indicate persistent settlement failures, which is atypical and merits attention. However, settlement failures can stem from various causes beyond deliberate manipulation.
For investors, these allegations create uncertainty that may need to be priced into risk assessments. If proven true, regulatory intervention could potentially correct artificial price suppression. If dismissed, the stock may experience increased volatility as the market processes this information.
It's worth noting that companies sometimes attribute price declines to market manipulation rather than fundamental factors. Without independent verification or regulatory findings, these remain corporate allegations that require careful evaluation within the broader context of the company's performance and market positioning.
SARASOTA, Fla., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (Nasdaq, NYSE Texas: DJT) ("TMTG" or "the Company"), operator of the social media platform Truth Social, the streaming platform Truth+, and the FinTech brand Truth.Fi, sent the following memo to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:
MEMO: Suspicious Trading Activity of DJT Stock
To: Mark Uyeda, Acting Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
From: Trump Media & Technology Group
Date: April 17, 2025
Subject: Potential Illegal Naked Short Selling and Market Manipulation of DJT Stock
CC: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA); Nasdaq; New York Stock Exchange
This letter serves to inform you of suspicious activity related to a disclosure filed in Germany by the U.K.-based hedge fund Qube Research & Technologies (“Qube”). The following data points raise critical questions about the timing and methods used in Qube’s trading activities:
- On April 10, 2025, Qube disclosed a nearly six-million share short position in Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (“TMTG”) (NASDAQ, NYSE Texas: DJT). Thus, a U.K.-based entity, with a data center in Iceland, only disclosed these short sales in Germany.
- According to Nasdaq, the total short interest in DJT as of March 31, 2025, was 10.7 million shares (see attached chart). Third party sources inform TMTG that the total short interest as of April 16, 2025, is virtually unchanged—approximately 11 million shares.
- Neither Nasdaq, NYSE Texas, nor any other source has been able to confirm when the trades disclosed by Qube were conducted or if they were conducted at all.
The above factors, especially when combined with the history of suspicious trading surrounding DJT stock—including DJT appearing on Nasdaq’s Regulation SHO Threshold Security List continuously for more than two months in 2024—could be indications of the illegal naked short selling of DJT shares.
We urge you to immediately investigate this suspicious trading and report your findings back to TMTG and any relevant civil and criminal authorities. American equities exchanges should be operated with full transparency and maximum efficiency, not as an opaque free-for-all reminiscent of a third-world casino.
Source: https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/djt/short-interest
About TMTG
The mission of TMTG is to end Big Tech's assault on free speech by opening up the Internet and giving people their voices back. TMTG operates Truth Social, a social media platform established as a safe harbor for free expression amid increasingly harsh censorship by Big Tech corporations, as well as Truth+, a TV streaming platform focusing on family-friendly live TV channels and on-demand content. TMTG is also launching Truth.Fi, a financial services and FinTech brand incorporating America First investment vehicles.
Investor Relations Contact
Shannon Devine (MZ Group | Managing Director - MZ North America)
Email: shannon.devine@mzgroup.us
Media Contact
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c8f2402-0646-41da-8dd3-3556ca84e408
FAQ
What suspicious trading activity did Trump Media (DJT) report to the SEC on April 17, 2025?
What is the current short interest in DJT stock as of April 16, 2025?
Why did Trump Media (DJT) appear on Nasdaq's Regulation SHO Threshold Security List?
What regulatory actions has Trump Media requested regarding DJT stock trading?
