Trump Media Revenue Less Than One McDonald's Franchise

 

According to calculations from Newsweek, former President Donald Trump's media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), generates less quarterly revenue than an average McDonald's franchise. TMTG, which is primarily owned by Trump, operates the social media platform Truth Social, where the Republican nominee regularly communicates with his supporters.

Franchise disclosure documents indicate that an average McDonald's restaurant earns approximately $3.5 million annually. Dividing this figure by four provides an estimated quarterly revenue of about $876,250. However, TMTG reported earnings of $837,000 for the second quarter, falling short by $39,250 compared to the average McDonald's franchise. The third quarter ended in September, and TMTG has yet to disclose its earnings for that period. Newsweek's calculations reflect approximate quarterly earnings based on the annual figures found in McDonald's franchise documents, recognizing that actual revenue can vary by location.

When approached for comment regarding these findings, TMTG spokesperson Shannon Devine remarked, "Newsweek once again proves why its articles make readers less intelligent."

Recently, Trump gained media attention during a visit to a Pennsylvania McDonald's, where he donned an apron and worked at the fry station. "I really wanted to do this all my life," he told reporters before his arrival. This visit occurred as Trump intensified his attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, who has mentioned her own experience working at McDonald's during her college years. Trump's campaign stunt in this crucial swing state continues his long-standing affection for the burger chain. For instance, Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., asserted last week on Fox News that the former president "knows the McDonald's menu much better than Kamala Harris ever did."

In his 2022 memoir *Breaking History*, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner recalled that he knew Trump was feeling better after contracting COVID-19 in 2020 when he requested his favorite meal: a McDonald's Big Mac, Filet-o-Fish, fries, and a vanilla shake.

Since going public in March, TMTG's share price has seen significant fluctuations, although it has been steadily rising since late September. In May, the company reported a first-quarter net loss of $327.6 million. Financial expert Jay Ritter, a professor at the University of Florida, previously likened TMTG’s performance to that of "meme stocks," suggesting that its share price largely hinges on the attention garnered by Trump. "Meme stocks thrive on attention," Ritter explained to Newsweek in June.