Donald Trump adds $5 billion to his fortune overnight

Donald Trump joined the list of the world’s 500 richest people for the first time this week, after his fortune received a substantial lift.

Donald Trump joined the list of the world’s 500 richest people for the first time this week, after his fortune received a substantial lift.

The huge increase in his wealth came thanks to a business merger that saw Mr Trump’s social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group, merger with Digital World Acquisition Corporation (DWAC) yesterday, in a deal that has been more than two years in the making.

Donald Trump has benefited from a huge merger. Picture: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP

Mr Trump owns 58 per cent of the company, and based on yesterday’s DWAC share price, his stake is worth $US3.9 billion ($A6 billion), bringing his total fortune to $US6.4 billion ($A9.8 billion), which ranks him at around 430th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index of the world’s wealthiest 500 people.

Previously, Mr Trump’s wealth had peaked at $US3.1 billion ($A4.7 billion) and largely consisted of money generated from his real estate portfolio.

That increase - from his previous wealth of $US3.1 billion ($A4.7 billion) and his new wealth of $US6.4 billion ($A9.8 billion) represents a A$5.1 billion increase.

However, that value of his company shareholding is currently only theoretical as the terms of the deal prevent Mr Trump from selling down his shares for around six months, according to Bloomberg.

Shares in the new combined company, called Trump Media & Technology Group Corporation – will begin trading on New York’s Nasdaq stock exchange tomorrow (US time) under the code DJT – an initialism reflection Trump’s full name: Donald John Trump.

The deal has seen his value increase by billions. Picture: Charly Triballeau / AFP

The financial boost came as Mr Trump was facing a deadline to post bond of more than $US500 million ($A765 million) in a New York fraud lawsuit.

However, in another move that will benefit the billionaire financially, a state appeals court reduced the amount of bond Mr Trump would have to post to $US175 million ($A268 million).