Digital World Acquisition Corp. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

DIGITAL WORLD ACQUISITION CORP.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

References in this report (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us,” “Digital World” or the “Company” refer to Digital World Acquisition Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to ARC Global Investments II LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Report (as defined below), including, without limitation, statements under “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act (as defined below) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act (as defined below). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. There can be no assurance that actual results will not materially differ from expectations. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our ability to consummate any acquisition or other business combination and any other statements that are not statements of current or historical facts. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various factors, including, but not limited to:

The forward-looking statements contained in this Report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

TMTG Business Combination

On October 20, 2021, we entered into a Merger Agreement with Merger Sub, TMTG, our sponsor, in the capacity as our representative for certain stockholders, and TMTG’s Chief Legal Officer, in the capacity as the representative for stockholders of TMTG.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, (i) upon the Closing, Merger Sub will merge with and into TMTG, with TMTG continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In the Merger, (i) all shares of TMTG Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than those properly exercising any applicable dissenters rights under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive the Merger consideration; (ii) each outstanding option to acquire shares of TMTG Stock (whether vested or unvested) will be assumed by the Company and automatically converted into an option to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock, with its price and number of shares equitably adjusted based on the conversion ratio of the shares of TMTG Stock into the Merger consideration and (iii) each outstanding restricted stock unit of TMTG shall be converted into a restricted stock unit relating to shares of the Company’s common stock. At the Closing, the Company will change its name to “Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.”

Consummation of the TMTG Business Combination is subject to customary conditions of the respective parties, including regulatory approval and the approval of the Merger by our stockholders in accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the completion of a redemption offer whereby we will be providing our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of our Class A common stock for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in our trust account. The Merger Agreement can be terminated by

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either party if any of the closing conditions have not been satisfied or waived by September 20, 2022, which has been extended to June 8, 2023 (the “Outside Date”), provided that the Company shall have the right to extend the Outside Date if it obtains an extension of the deadline by which it must complete its business combination (an “Extension”) for the shortest of (i) three months, (ii) the period ending on the last day for the Company to consummate a business combination after such Extension and (iii) such period as determined by the Company.

On December 4, 2021, in support of the TMTG Business Combination, the Company entered into certain SPAs with certain PIPE Investors, pursuant to which the PIPE Investors agreed to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $1,000 per share for an aggregate commitment of up to $1,000,000,000 in a PIPE to be consummated concurrently with the TMTG Business Combination. The shares are currently convertible into 29,761,905 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to upward adjustment. The PIPE is conditioned on the concurrent closing of the TMTG Business Combination and other customary closing conditions and is terminable by the PIPE Investors if the TMTG Business Combination has not closed by the Outside Date. Pursuant to the SPA, each of the PIPE Investors may terminate its respective SPA, among other things, if the closing of the PIPE has not occurred on or prior to September 20, 2022. As a result, the Company received termination notices from certain PIPE Investors, who originally agreed to purchase up to 251,500 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, on March 31, 2023, we had approximately $152,704 in cash. We have incurred and continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our initial business combination. We cannot assure shareholders that our plans to complete our initial business combination will be successful.

Results of Operations

We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our activities from inception through March 31, 2023 were organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for the initial public offering and the search for targets for our initial business combination, including the proposed Merger with TMTG. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial business combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence in connection with our search for targets for our initial business combination.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had net income of $1,450,593, which consists primarily of $3,186,658 of interest earned on cash held in Trust Account, partially offset by general and administrative costs of $221,942, legal investigation costs of $669,137 and income tax expense of $794,986.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we had a net loss of $3,202,814, which consists primarily of general and administrative costs of $397,734 and legal investigation costs of $2,742,708.

Factors That May Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations

Our results of operations and our ability to complete an initial business combination may be adversely affected by various factors that could cause economic uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, many of which are beyond our control. Our business could be impacted by, among other things, the pending legal proceedings against us, downturns in the financial markets or in economic conditions, increases in oil prices, inflation, increases in interest rates, supply chain disruptions, declines in consumer confidence and spending, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including resurgences and the emergence of new variants, and geopolitical instability, such as the military conflict in the Ukraine. We cannot at this time fully predict the likelihood of one or more of the above events, their duration or magnitude or the extent to which they may negatively impact our business and our ability to complete an initial business combination.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Until the consummation of the initial public offering, our only source of liquidity was an initial purchase of Class B common stock by our sponsor and loans from our sponsor.

On September 8, 2021, we consummated the initial public offering of 28,750,000 units, at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $287,500,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering, we consummated the sale of 1,133,484 placement units at a price of $10.00 per placement unit in a private placement to our sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $11,334,840.

Following the initial public offering and the sale of the placement units, a total of $293,250,000 was placed in a U.S.-based trust account, maintained by Continental, acting as trustee. We incurred $15,668,029 in transaction costs, including $3,593,750 of underwriting fees, $10,062,500 of deferred underwriting fees, fair value of representative shares of $1,437,500 and $574,279 of other offering costs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net increase in cash was $151,714 and was comprised of net cash used in operating activities of $414,286 and net cash provided by financing activities of $566,000. Net cash used in operating activities of $414,286 consisted of net income of $1,450,593 and a change of accrued expense of $469,875, partially offset by interest earned on assets held in the Trust Account of $3,186,658. Net cash provided by financing activities of $541,000 consisted of proceeds from working capital loans.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net decrease in cash was $286,238 and was comprised of net cash used in operating activities of $646,388 and net cash provided by financing activities of $360,150. Net cash used in operating activities of $646,388 consisted of a net loss of $3,202,814 partially offset by a change in accrued expenses of $2,476,538. Net cash provided by financing activities of $360,150 consisted of proceeds from working capital loans and advances from related parties.

As of March 31, 2023, we had cash of $303,517,309 held in the trust account. We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account to complete our initial business combination. We may withdraw cash to pay taxes. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.

On April 21, 2023, the Company issued two promissory notes (one for $625,700 and the other for $500,000) in the aggregate principal amount of $1,125,700 to the sponsor to pay costs and expenses in connection with completing an initial business combination. Each of the two notes bears no interest and is repayable in full upon the earlier of (i) the date on which the Company consummates its initial business combination and (ii) the date that the winding up of the Company is effective. At the election of the sponsor and subject to certain conditions, all of the unpaid principal amount of each of the two notes may be converted into units of the Company (the “Conversion Units”) immediately prior to the consummation of an initial business combination with the total Conversion Units so issued equal to: (x) the portion of the principal amount of the respective note being converted divided by (y) the conversion price of ten dollars ($10.00), rounded up to the nearest whole number of units. The issuances of the two notes were made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

As of March 31, 2023, we had cash of $152,704 outside of the trust account. We intend to use the funds held outside the trust account primarily to complete the TMTG Business Combination, or if the TMTG Business is not consummated, identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.

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In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Account Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” as stated above, the Company has until June 8, 2023 (or up to September 8, 2023 if the Company extends the maximum time to complete a Business Combination) to consummate a Business Combination. It is uncertain that the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this time. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Additionally, the Company has incurred and expects to incur significant costs in pursuit of its acquisition plans. The Company lacks the financial resources it needs to sustain operations for a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year from the date of the issuance of the financial statements. As a result, these factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2023.

Contractual Obligations

We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay the Working Capital Loans, and each of Renatus and an affiliate of our sponsor a monthly fee of $15,000 for office space, administrative and support services to us. We will incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of our initial business combination and our liquidation.

The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per unit, or $10,062,500 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters solely in the event that the Company completes a business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of common stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. Our shares of Class A common stock feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of our condensed interim balance sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. Derivative instruments are initially recorded at fair value on the grant date and re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations. Derivative assets and liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. The Company accounts for the warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40. The Company has determined that the warrants qualify for equity treatment in the Company’s financial statements.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable for smaller reporting companies.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that due to the Company’s material weaknesses in accounting for accruals our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were not effective due to a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting existed relating to financial reporting systems and accounting for accruals, which resulted in the restatement of the previously issued financials statements included in the 2022 Form 10-K 10-K/A filed with the SEC on October 30, 2023.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

To address this material weakness, we are assessing our resource needs as well as roles and responsibilities with a particular focus on accounting and financial reporting staff and will make changes as needed.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Except as indicated below, to the knowledge of our management team, there is no litigation currently pending or contemplated against us, or against any of our property.

We are cooperating with a FINRA inquiry concerning events (specifically, a review of trading) that preceded the public announcement of the Merger Agreement. According to FINRA’s request, the inquiry should not be construed as an indication that FINRA has determined that any violations of Nasdaq rules or federal securities laws have occurred, nor as a reflection upon the merits of the securities involved or upon any person who effected transactions in such securities.

On October 20, 2023, Robert Lowinger (the “Plaintiff”) filed a complaint against Rocket One Capital, LLC (“Rocket One”), Michael Shvartsman, Bruce Garelick, and the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. According to the complaint, the Company has been named as a party in the lawsuit because the Plaintiff is seeking relief for the benefit of the Company. In the complaint, the Plaintiff contends that, in 2021, Mr. Garelick and Rocket One were directors of the Company and that they purchased securities of the Company. The Plaintiff further alleges that within a six-month period from the date of their purchases, both Mr. Garelick and Rocket One sold securities in the Company and realized profits from those sales. Additionally, the Plaintiff alleges that Mr. Shvartsman had a financial interest in the profits resulting from Rocket One’s purchases and sales of the Company’s securities. According to the Plaintiff, under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. §78p(b)), Rocket One, Mr. Shvartsman, and Mr. Garelick are each required to disgorge certain trading profits to the Company. As of the date of this report, the Company has not filed a response to the complaint. The case is Lowinger v. Rocket One Capital, LLC, et al., No. 1:23-cv-9243 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 20, 2023).

Settlement in Principle

As previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 3, 2023, the Company was the subject of an investigation (the “Investigation”) by the SEC with respect to certain statements, agreements and the timing thereof included in the Company’s registration statements on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1”) in connection with its IPO and Form S-4 relating to the business combination between the Company and TMTG.

On July 3, 2023, the Company reached an agreement in principle (the “Settlement in Principle”) in connection with the Investigation. The Settlement in Principle was subject to approval by the SEC.

On July 20, 2023, the SEC approved the Settlement in Principle, announcing settled charges against Digital World and entered a cease-and-desist order (the “Order”) finding that Digital World violated certain antifraud provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, in connection with Digital World’s IPO filings on Form S-1 and the Form S-4 concerning certain statements, agreements and omissions relating to the timing and discussions Digital World had with TMTG regarding the proposed business combination. In the Order, Digital World agreed (i) that any amended Form S-4 filed by Digital World will be materially complete and accurate with respect to certain statements, agreements and omissions relating to the timing and discussions that Digital World had with TMTG regarding the proposed business combination and (ii) to pay a civil money penalty in an amount of $18 million to the SEC promptly after the closing of any merger or a comparable business combination or transaction, whether with TMTG or any other entity.

Section 5.2 of the Merger Agreement provides that without the prior written consent of TMTG (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) the Company shall not settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding, including any suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation relating to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby, in excess of $100,000. As such, the Company has kept TMTG appraised of the discussions with the SEC and the Settlement in Principle. Nevertheless, TMTG is not a party to the Settlement in Principle or any related negotiation and it has not provided its consent to such settlement. Although the Company believes that it has complied with Section 5.2 of the Merger Agreement, TMTG may disagree and try to terminate the Merger Agreement.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

As a smaller reporting company under Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to include risk factors in this Quarterly Report. However, as of the date of this Quarterly Report, except as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the partial list of material risks, uncertainties and other factors that could have a material effect on the Company and its operations, previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on October 30, 2023.

For the complete list of risks relating to our operations, the Business Combination and the PIPE, see the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our (i) Registration Statement on Form S-1, (ii) Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on October 30, 2023, (iii) Registration Statement on Form S-4 and (iv) the definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 17, 2023. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risks could arise that may also affect our business or ability to consummate an initial business combination. We may disclose changes to such risk factors or disclose additional risk factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

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