Trump Media Stock Awards to Cabinet Picks Raise Ethics Concerns

Regulatory filings reveal $800K stock gifts to Trump nominees Kash Patel and Linda McMahon, sparking scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest.

Trump Media awarded 25,946 shares each to Kash Patel, Linda McMahon, Donald Trump Jr., and three other board members, valued at over $779,000 per recipient based on the share price at the time.
Patel is President Trump’s nominee for FBI director, and McMahon is his pick for Education Secretary; both are awaiting Senate confirmation.
Only 25% of the awarded shares vested immediately, with the remaining shares set to vest in quarterly installments over two years, limiting immediate financial benefits.
Critics argue the stock awards highlight potential conflicts of interest, as Trump Media, majority-owned by a trust benefiting Trump, expands into financial services.
Trump transferred his majority stake in Trump Media to a revocable trust, with Donald Trump Jr. as trustee, following his presidential election victory.