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United States Attorney General Pam Bondi sold millions of dollars’ worth of stock in Trump Media and Technology Group — the parent company of Truth Social — on April 2, the same day former President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on foreign goods, according to a government ethics transaction report obtained by CBS News.
Bondi’s sale included at least $1 million worth of shares, and possibly as much as $5.5 million, based on the disclosure. The timing has raised eyebrows, as the move coincided with a volatile period for Trump Media’s stock (ticker: DJT), which dropped more than 10% in value the next day.
The stock, which peaked at $52 per share, closed at $26 on Wednesday.
Bondi, who served as a surrogate and legal advisor to Trump during and after his presidency, reported in a December financial disclosure that she owned over $3.9 million in Trump Media stock. Those shares were compensation for consulting services, not purchased outright, according to the filing.
The Justice Department has not responded to inquiries about the timing of the stock sale or whether it could constitute insider trading or a conflict of interest. The transaction was first reported by ProPublica.
The sale came as Trump Media posted steep financial losses, reporting a $400.9 million loss in 2024, with annual revenue falling 12% to just $3.6 million. The company attributed the decline to changes in a revenue-sharing deal with an undisclosed advertising partner.
Meanwhile, the company’s majority shareholder, President Trump, transferred his entire stake — estimated to be worth $4 billion on paper — to the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust in December after his 2024 election victory. The trust is controlled solely by Donald Trump Jr., who holds full voting and investment power over the stock.
Bondi’s financial gain — coming just before the stock’s dip — is likely to draw further scrutiny as Trump Media faces mounting legal and financial challenges. Critics may also raise concerns about the overlap between Trump allies’ political roles and personal financial interests.
Trump Media was created after Trump was banned from Twitter (now X) and Facebook following the January 6 Capitol riot. Though he has since been reinstated, Truth Social remains his primary platform.
Legal settlements from X and Meta in early 2025 — totaling $10 million and $25 million, respectively — helped resolve lawsuits Trump filed over his suspensions. Notably, Elon Musk, owner of X and now head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, is also a major Trump campaign donor.
With Trump back in the White House, and Bondi profiting from her consulting ties, the intersection of business, politics, and ethics surrounding Trump Media is likely to remain in the spotlight.
