Former U.S. President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden faced off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election on June 27, 2024 at CNN's studios in Atlanta, Georgia. The debate was highly anticipated as it marked the first time these two political heavyweights would engage in a public discourse since Trump left office.
Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT), the parent company of Truth Social, saw a significant surge in its stock price leading up to the debate. According to various sources, DJT's stock had advanced 42% this week and was up by more than 11% in premarket trading on the day of the debate.
The surge in Trump Media's stock price can be attributed to several factors. First, there was widespread speculation that a strong performance by Trump during the debate could boost his chances of securing the Republican nomination and ultimately winning back the White House. Second, investors were betting on increased engagement on Truth Social as a result of the high-profile event.
Trump Media's stock price had been volatile in recent months, with shares ranging from $79.38 to $22.84 per share since going public through a merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp. in March 2021.
Despite the surge in stock prices, Trump Media reported significant losses and meager revenue in its first quarter of 2024. The company reported a net loss of $327.6 million and brought in just $770,500 in revenue during this period.
The debate between Trump and Biden was closely watched by millions of Americans across the country, with many tuning in to see how each candidate would handle key issues such as the economy, immigration, foreign policy, and more. The event was also significant for Truth Social users as they were able to engage in real-time discussions about the debate on the platform.
The outcome of the debate was widely seen as a turning point in the 2024 presidential race. While some observers believed that Biden had a strong performance, others felt that Trump had outperformed and gained momentum heading into the next phase of his campaign.
Investors continued to closely monitor Trump Media's stock price following the debate, with shares trading at around $36.73 at close on the day of the event. However, there were signs that volatility could return as investors digested the implications of the debate and looked ahead to future developments in the race for the White House.