PublicSquare faces financial collapse and 99% stock drop

PublicSquare, a conservative-aligned e-commerce marketplace, has faced a severe financial decline, losing nearly $160 million since its 2023 debut on the New York Stock Exchange. The company’s stock price has reportedly dropped by 99%, leading to warnings from the exchange regarding potential delisting.

Reports indicate that the company has undergone significant restructuring, including cutting 41% of its workforce, canceling a streaming program, and pivoting from e-commerce toward financial technology. Executives noted that the marketplace failed to gain sufficient consumer traction, a situation exacerbated by shifts in the political landscape.

Financial filings highlight substantial consultancy payments made to associates of Donald Trump Jr., who helped launch the platform. In 2024, Trump Jr. received $42,000 per month in consulting fees, totaling more than $500,000 for the year—an amount exceeding the salary of the company’s former CEO. Other payments included more than $650,000 to a firm founded by Omeed Malik and nearly $400,000 to former Trump official Nick Ayers.