Tax Remittance and Share Repurchase
Effective August 22, 2024, the Board and the audit committee of Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (the "Company" or "TMTG") authorized a share repurchase of an aggregate of 128,138 shares of the Company's common stock from certain executive employees at a prevailing market price of $22.70 per share. As consideration for the repurchase, the Company will remit $2,908,708, plus applicable penalties and interest, to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and certain state taxing authorities in connection with the March 7, 2024 issuance of the TMTG Executive Promissory Notes.
Appointment of TMTG Directors to Trump Vance 2025 Transition, Inc.
In August 2024, Donald J. Trump, Jr., who currently serves as a director of the Company, was appointed as a director (and was announced by President Donald J. Trump as an honorary co-chair) of Trump Vance 2025 Transition, Inc., a newly-formed 501(c)(4) nonprofit, the purpose of which is to organize and prepare for the assumption of duties of the President of the United States and facilitate the presidential transition after the 2024 election. In August 2024, Ms. McMahon, who currently serves as a director of the Company, was also appointed as a director (and was announced by President Donald J. Trump as a co-chair) of Trump Vance 2025 Transition, Inc.
Litigation and Legal Proceeding Update
The Company is also supplementing the summary of litigation previously disclosed in the Our Business section of its registration statements on (i) Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-278678), initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 15, 2024, as amended, and (ii) Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-280691), initially filed with the SEC on July 3, 2024, to update and replace in their entirety the "Litigation" section:
Section 16 Claim
On October 20, 2023, Robert Lowinger (the "Plaintiff") filed a complaint against Rocket One Capital, LLC ("Rocket One"), Michael Shvartsman, Bruce Garelick, and Digital World in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case is Lowinger v. Rocket One Capital, LLC, et al., No. 1:23-CV-9243 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 20, 2023). According to the complaint, Digital World was named as a party in the lawsuit because the Plaintiff is seeking relief for the benefit of Digital World. In the complaint, the Plaintiff contends that, in 2021, Mr. Garelick and Rocket One were directors of Digital World and that they purchased securities of Digital World. 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 Digital World 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 Digital World's securities. According to the Plaintiff, under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. ยง78p(b)), Rocket One, Mr. Shvartsman, and Mr. Garelick are each required to disgorge certain trading profits to Digital World.
On March 1, 2024, Digital World filed a motion to dismiss the claims against Digital World. On June 5, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted a motion by Defendants Michael Shvartsman and Bruce Garelick to transfer the action to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In transferring the action, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York held that pending motions to dismiss, including the motion filed by Digital World, will be decided by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (C.A. No. 24-CV-22429). On July 17, 2024, Defendants Rocket One, Mr. Shvartsman, and Mr. Garelick moved to stay the case during the pendency of SEC v. Garelick, et al., No. 23-CV-05567 (S.D.N.Y.) and USA v. Shvartsman, et al., No. 1:23-CR-00307 (S.D.N.Y.). On July 17, 2024, Defendants Rocket One, Mr. Shvartsman, and Mr. Garelick moved to stay the case during the pendency of SEC v. Garelick, et al.,No. 23-CV-05567 (S.D.N.Y.) and USA v. Shvartsman, et al.,No. 1:23-CR-00307 (S.D.N.Y.)
Litigation with United Atlantic Ventures ("UAV") in Delaware
On July 30, 2021, an attorney for the Trump Organization, on behalf of President Trump, declared void ab initioa services agreement that had granted Private TMTG, among other things, extensive intellectual property and digital media rights related to President Trump for purposes of commercializing the various Private TMTG initiatives (the "Services Agreement"). Neither Private TMTG nor Digital World was a party to such agreement.
On each of January 18, 2024 and February 9, 2024, Digital World received letters from counsel to UAV, a party to the Services Agreement. The letters contained certain assertions and enclosed a copy of the Services Agreement that had been declared void two and a half years earlier. Specifically, counsel for UAV claims that the Services Agreement grants UAV rights to (1) appoint two directors to TMTG and its successors (i.e., TMTG after the Business Combination), (2) approve or disapprove of the creation of additional TMTG shares or share classes and anti-dilution protection for future issuances and (3) a $1.0 million expense reimbursement claim. In addition, UAV asserts that the Services Agreement is not void ab initio and claims that certain events following the July 30, 2021 notification support its assertion that such Services Agreement was not void.
On February 6, 2024, a representative of UAV sent a text message to a representative of a noteholder of TMTG suggesting that UAV might seek to enjoin the Business Combination. On February 9, 2024, Private TMTG received from counsel to UAV a letter similar to those letters received by Digital World, which also threatened Private TMTG with legal action regarding UAV's alleged rights in Private TMTG, including, if necessary, an action to enjoin consummation of the Business Combination.
On February 28, 2024, UAV filed a verified complaint against Private TMTG in the Chancery Court seeking declaratory and injunctive relief relating to the authorization, issuance, and ownership of stock in Private TMTG and filed a motion for expedited proceedings (C.A. No. 2024-0184-MTZ). On March 4, 2024, UAV filed an amended complaint, converting their action from a direct action to a purported derivative action, and adding members of the Private TMTG board as defendants.
On March 9, 2024, the Chancery Court held a hearing to decide UAV's motion to expedite proceedings. During the oral argument, Private TMTG agreed that any additional shares of Private TMTG issued prior to or upon the consummation of the Business Combination would be placed in escrow pending a resolution of the dispute between the parties. The Chancery Court entered an order consistent with the foregoing on March 15, 2024, and scheduled a status conference for April 1, 2024.
On April 2, 2024, UAV filed a motion for leave to file a second amended complaint together with a motion for preliminary injunction and a motion for contempt and anti-suit injunction related to Private TMTG's filing of a separate litigation against UAV and others in Florida state court. Private TMTG maintains that the contempt claims are meritless. On April 9, 2024, the Chancery Court granted the motion for leave to file a second amended complaint on April 9, 2024 and re-assigned the case to a new judge.
On April 11, 2024, UAV filed its second amended complaint, naming the prior Defendants together with five new defendants-TMTG and the current directors on the TMTG Board who were not on Private TMTG's board of directors.
On April 22, 2024, all of the Defendants moved to vacate the Chancery Court's prior order expediting the matter. Additionally, all of the Defendants moved to dismiss the second amended complaint. Following briefing and oral argument on the motion to vacate, on April 30, 2024, the Chancery Court vacated the prior provisions of the March 15 order expediting the matter.
On May 6, 2024, UAV filed its Renewed Motion for Contempt of the March 15, 2024 Order against Private TMTG ("First Contempt Motion") seeking, among other things, to enjoin Private TMTG and related parties from prosecuting certain claims in Florida state court. A hearing on this motion, which was previously set for July 12, 2024, was cancelled by the Chancery Court after UAV failed to timely submit a reply brief. On May 8, 2024, the Chancery Court stayed discovery and granted a protective order with respect to all discovery served on Defendants and all other persons from whom discovery was being sought.
On June 5, 2024, UAV filed for leave to again amend its complaint. The Chancery Court granted the motion for leave to amend on July 8, 2024, and UAV filed its Third Amended Complaint on July 9, 2024. The Third Amended Complaint dismissed as defendants three current TMTG directors (W. Kyle Green, Linda McMahon, and Robert Lighthizer) and added four former Digital World directors (Frank J. Andrews, Patrick F. Orlando, Edward J. Preble, and Jeffrey A. Smith).
On July 17, 2024, UAV filed its reply brief on the First Contempt Motion as well as a second contempt motion against Private TMTG and TMTG ("Second Contempt Motion") alleging additional violations of the March 15 Order. A hearing on the contempt motions has been scheduled for August 27, 2024.
On July 23, 2024, all of the defendants with the exception of Patrick F. Orlando moved to dismiss the Third Amended Complaint.
This matter remains pending.
Lawsuit Against ARC and Patrick Orlando in Florida
On February 26, 2024, representatives of ARC Global Investments II, LLC ("ARC") claimed to Digital World that after a "more comprehensive" review, the conversion ratio for Digital World Class B common stock into Digital World Class A common stock upon the completion of the Business Combination was approximately 1.8:1. ARC's new claim also contradicted the previous assertion by Patrick Orlando, the managing member of ARC, that the conversion ratio was 1.68:1. Digital World's board of directors viewed these claims as an attempt by Mr. Orlando to secure personal benefits, breaching his fiduciary duty to Digital World and its shareholders.
Digital World and Private TMTG initiated a lawsuit against ARC in the Civil Division for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota County, Florida, on February 27, 2024 (Docket No. 2024-CA-001061-NC). The complaint sought a declaratory judgment affirming the appropriate conversion ratio as 1.34:1, as previously disclosed, damages for tortious interference with the contractual and business relationship between Private TMTG and Digital World, and damages for conspiracy with unnamed co-conspirators to interfere with the same. The complaint also sought damages for Mr. Orlando's breach of fiduciary duty, which exposed Digital World to regulatory liability and resulted in an $18 million penalty, and for his continuous obstruction of Digital World's merger with Private TMTG to extort various concessions that benefited only him and harmed Digital World and its shareholders. Furthermore, the complaint sought damages for the wrongful assertion of dominion over Digital World's assets inconsistent with Digital World's possessory rights over those assets. On March 8, 2024, Digital World voluntarily dismissed its declaratory judgment claim against ARC.
On March 17, 2024, Digital World and Private TMTG filed an amended complaint, adding a claim for violation of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Digital World further alleged breach of fiduciary duty of loyalty, breach of fiduciary duty of care, and conversion claims against Mr. Orlando. With respect to ARC, Digital World alleged aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty.
On April 3, 2024, Defendants ARC and Mr. Orlando filed a joint motion to dismiss the amended complaint or, in the alternative, to stay the proceeding pending the Delaware Action. Defendants ARC and Mr. Orlando also filed that same day a motion to stay discovery in the action. On May 29, 2024, Digital World moved to compel discovery from ARC and Mr. Orlando. On July 15, 2024, following a July 10 hearing, the Court entered an order denying the motion to stay discovery and motion to compel. Defendants ARC and Orlando have appealed that order. On July 29, 2024, the Court entered an order denying the motion to dismiss or, in the alternative, to stay the proceeding. On August 2, 2024, Defendants ARC and Mr. Orlando filed a motion to stay pending appeal, which has been scheduled for hearing on September 10.
On July 31, 2024, Digital World and Private TMTG filed a motion for leave to file a second amended complaint, which proposes to add allegations against ARC and Orlando related to pre-targeting and other misconduct as set forth in the SEC Complaint against Orlando, and naming UAV, Andy Litinsky and Wes Moss as additional defendants. The motion for leave to amend is set for hearing on September 10, 2024.
On August 15, 2024, Digital World and Private TMTG filed a motion for temporary injunction seeking to enjoin the threatened sale of Digital World stock by Defendant ARC and one of the new defendants proposed to be added through the motion for leave to file a second amended complaint. The motion for temporary injunction is set for hearing on September 17, 2024.
At a June 17, 2024, status hearing, the court agreed to schedule a trial for August 2025.
Litigation with ARC in Delaware
On February 29, 2024, ARC filed a lawsuit in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (C.A. No. 2024-0186-LWW) against Digital World and its directors, alleging an impending violation of the Digital World Charter for failure to commit to issue the number of conversion shares to ARC that ARC claims it is owed upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The complaint claimed a new conversion ratio of 1.78:1 and sought specific performance and damages for the alleged breach of the Digital World Charter, a declaratory judgment that the certain derivative securities of Digital World should be included in the calculation of the conversion ratio, a finding that the directors of Digital World breached their fiduciary duties, and a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Business Combination until Digital World "corrected" the conversion ratio.
We do not believe ARC's 1.78:1 conversion ratio and related claims are supported by the terms of the Digital World Charter. As a result, we have vigorously defended Digital World's calculation of the conversion ratio and related rights. In addition to its complaint, ARC also filed a motion with the Chancery Court requesting that the case schedule be expedited to enable the Chancery Court to conduct an injunction hearing prior to the March 22, 2024 shareholder vote. On March 5, 2024, the court denied ARC's motion, stating that it would not conduct a merits or injunction hearing before March 22, 2024. Consequently, the Chancery Court also denied ARC's request to postpone the vote until after a merits hearing.
The Chancery Court ruled that Digital World's proposal to deposit disputed shares into an escrow account at the close of the Business Combination was adequate to prevent potential irreparable harm related to ARC's share conversion. The court also found that Digital World's public disclosures about ARC's claims and possible conversion scenarios at the close of the Business Combination further mitigated the risk of irreparable harm due to insufficient disclosure for the March 22, 2024 vote.
On March 22, 2024, the Chancery Court entered a Scheduling Order setting the case for a single-day trial on June 26, 2024. The trial was subsequently rescheduled to July 29, 2024.
On May 23, 2024, ARC filed a motion for leave to amend its complaint. ARC requested leave to add new factual allegations and legal theories, in addition to a cause of action for breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. On June 5, 2024, the Court denied leave to add a cause of action for breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, but granted leave in part to add new legal theories to existing claims and adjust its claimed conversion ratio from 1.78:1 to 1.81:1.
A one-day trial in this matter took place on July 29, 2024. The ultimate resolution as to whether none, a portion, or all of the disputed conversion shares will be issued remains to be determined as of August 22, 2024.
In relation to the Delaware Lawsuit, Digital World notified its shareholders on March 14, 2024, of its intention to apply a conversion ratio to all Digital World Class B common stock shares to ensure that ARC and the Non-ARC Class B Shareholders receive an equal number of common stock shares in the Company per share of Digital World Class B common stock. Accordingly, on March 21, 2024, Digital World entered into the Disputed Shares Escrow Agreements with the Escrow Agent, pursuant to which TMTG deposited into escrow the number of shares of TMTG Common Stock representing the difference between the actual conversion ratio, determined by Digital World's board of directors upon closing of the Business Combination (which was determined to be 1.348:1), and a conversion ratio of 2.00. Any release of shares is subject to the terms and conditions of the Disputed Shares Escrow Agreements.
The ultimate resolution as to whether none, a portion or all of the disputed conversion shares will be issued is not determinable at this time. As a general matter, the pursuit of the claims may be costly and time consuming and could have a material adverse effect on TMTG's reputation and its existing stockholders and may result in counterclaims.
Lawsuit With Patrick Orlando in Delaware
On March 15, 2024, Plaintiff Patrick Orlando brought a lawsuit against Digital World in the Chancery Court seeking advancement of legal fees associated with Mr. Orlando's involvement in civil litigation against Digital World in Florida and certain other matters (the "Advancement Lawsuit") (C.A. No. 2024-0264-LWW). Mr. Orlando's allegations relate to certain provisions in the Digital World Charter, Digital World's bylaws, and an indemnity agreement allegedly entered into between Mr. Orlando and Digital World. Mr. Orlando alleges that those certain provisions require Digital World to pay the legal fees Mr. Orlando incurred and will incur in connection with legal proceedings in which he is involved by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of Digital World. Mr. Orlando seeks a court order that (i) declares that he is entitled to legal fees for certain proceedings described in the complaint, (ii) requires Digital World to pay for legal fees incurred and future legal fees to be incurred for those proceedings, (iii) requires Digital World to pay the fees incurred to bring the Advancement Lawsuit, and (iv) requires Digital World to pay pre- and post-judgment interest on the amounts owed to Mr. Orlando.
On April 3, 2024, the Chancery Court entered a Stipulation and Advancement Order ("Stipulation") stating that Mr. Orlando is entitled to advancement of attorneys' fees and costs incurred with legal proceedings described in the Stipulation, subject to Digital World's right to challenge the reasonableness of those attorneys' fees and costs. The Stipulation further states that Mr. Orlando is entitled to fees incurred in connection with enforcement of advancement rights and sets forth procedures that will govern future requests for advancement of attorneys' fees and costs. As of August 22, 2024, TMTG had paid or agreed to pay more than $800,000 to Mr. Orlando's attorneys pursuant to such Stipulation.
On April 23, 2024, Mr. Orlando filed a motion for leave to supplement the Advancement Lawsuit to add a claim for advancement of legal fees and expenses Mr. Orlando has incurred and will incur in connection with his defense of an action for declaratory judgment brought by members of ARC regarding Mr. Orlando's removal as the managing member of ARC (the "ARC Removal Action"). Mr. Orlando also seeks reimbursement for the legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with his supplement to the Advancement Lawsuit, and he seeks pre-judgment and post-judgment interest on the amounts he claims are owed to him.
On August 1, 2024, plaintiffs in the ARC Removal Action dismissed their complaint without prejudice. On August 8, 2024, Mr. Orlando dismissed his supplemental claims in the Advancement Lawsuit without prejudice. The Advancement Lawsuit remains open on the Chancery Court's docket due to the Stipulation requiring Digital World to advance fees and costs incurred by Mr. Orlando in connection with the legal proceedings described in the Stipulation.
Lawsuit Against UAV, Litinsky, Moss, and Orlando in Florida
On March 24, 2024, Private TMTG filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit for Sarasota County, Florida (Docket No. 2024-CA-001545-NC) against UAV, Andrew Litinsky, Wesley Moss, and Patrick Orlando. In view of UAV's repeated demands concerning its alleged stock ownership and director appointment rights, the complaint alleges claims for a declaratory judgment against UAV determining that the Services Agreement is unenforceable against Private TMTG. The complaint also asserts a claim for unjust enrichment against UAV based on its failure to competently provide services to the company. Finally, the complaint asserts claims for damages for (a) breach of the fiduciary duty of loyalty against Mr. Litinsky and Mr. Moss based on their dealings with Mr. Orlando, (b) aiding and abetting and conspiracy to breach fiduciary duty against Mr. Orlando based on the same events, and (c) breach of the fiduciary duty of care against Mr. Litinsky and Mr. Moss for their gross negligence in managing the company.
On April 25, 2024, Private TMTG filed a motion to consolidate this lawsuit with the Lawsuit Against ARC and Patrick Orlando in Sarasota County, Florida described above for purposes of discovery and pretrial proceedings. That motion is currently pending before the court.
On June 27, 2024, the court granted Mr. Moss, Mr. Litinsky, and UAV's motion to stay proceedings pending resolution of the Delaware litigation involving UAV. The court also denied Private TMTG's motion for an anti-suit injunction.
On July 3, 2024, Mr. Orlando filed a motion to dismiss. On July 15, 2024, UAV, Mr. Litinsky, and Mr. Moss filed a notice of inactive status, stating that the court should place the action on inactive status.
On July 17, 2024, Private TMTG sought review of the court's order granting UAV's motion to stay in Florida's Second District Court of Appeal by filing a petition for a writ of certiorari with that court (Case No. 2D2024-1642). On August 2, 2024, Private TMTG filed a motion to stay the stay pending certiorari review. A hearing regarding the motion to stay the stay has been scheduled for September 12, 2024.
Lawsuit By Orlando and Benessere in Miami, Florida
On April 2, 2024, Patrick Orlando and Benessere Investment Group, LLC filed suit against TMTG in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial District in Miami-Dade County Florida (Docket No. 2024-005894-CA-01). Orlando and Benessere seek a declaratory judgment that TMTG is restricted from disclosing material exchanged with Orlando and Benessere pursuant to a joint defense agreement previously entered into by the Parties in addition to a request for damages for any breach of the joint defense agreement. Also on April 2, 2024, Orlando and Benessere filed a motion for preliminary injunction for enforcement of the joint defense agreement. As of August 22, 2024, the motion for preliminary injunction had not been set for hearing. On July 10, 2024, the Court scheduled a case management conference for September 16, 2024.
Litigation with Odyssey Transfer & Trust Company in Delaware
On June 20, 2024, TMTG's transfer agent, Odyssey filed an interpleader action in the U.S. District Court of the District of Delaware (C.A. No. 24-CV-00729). The complaint pertains to the ongoing dispute regarding share ownership between Melkersen and ARC and includes TMTG as a nominal defendant. Odyssey is seeking an order from the Court discharging Odyssey of further liability and requiring ARC and TMTG to resolve their competing claims as to 716,140 Class A shares of TMTG and 25,000 TMTG warrants.
On July 18, 2024, ARC filed a motion to dismiss for improper venue. On July 22, 2024, TMTG filed a motion for discharge and dismissal. On August 13, 2024, TMTG filed its Answer and crossclaims against Melkersen and ARC. On August 21, 2024, ARC filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. This matter remains pending.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to the statement regarding the future plans and potential success of the streaming services under the CDNand related matters. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions, or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by, or include the words "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "plans," "scheduled," "anticipates" or "intends" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations that the Company describes in its forward-looking statements. There may be events in the future that the Company is not accurately able to predict, or over which the Company has no control.
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, the Company disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our assumptions and projections change, except where applicable law may otherwise require us to do so. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Readers should not put undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on the Company's behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements herein. Important factors that may affect these projections or expectations include, but are not limited to: statements about the ability of the Company to realize the benefits from the business combination; the ability of the Company to maintain the listing of the Company's Common Stock on Nasdaq; ability to realize the benefit of the streaming services, its cost effectiveness, performance, stability, and future financial performance following the business combination; the impact of the outcome of any known or unknown litigation or other legal proceedings; the ability of the Company to forecast and maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth and appropriately plan its expenses; expectations regarding future expenditures of the Company; the future revenue and effect on gross margins of the Company; the attraction and retention of qualified directors, officers, employees, and key personnel of the Company; the ability of the Company to compete effectively in a competitive industry; the impact of the ongoing legal proceedings in which President Donald J. Trump is involved on the Company's corporate reputation and brand; expectations concerning the relationships and actions of the Company and its affiliates with third parties; the short- and long-term effects of the consummation of the business combination on the Company's business relationships, operating results, and business generally; the impact of future regulatory, judicial, and legislative changes in the Company's industry; the ability to locate and acquire complementary products or product candidates and integrate those into the Company's business; Truth Social, the Company's initial product, and its ability to generate users and advertisers; future arrangements with, or investments in, other entities or associations; competition and competitive pressures from other companies in the industries in which the Company operates; changes in domestic and global general economic and macro-economic conditions and the volatility of the price of Common Stock that may result from sales of shares by Yorkville or other shares we previously registered for resale. For a discussion of these important factors and other risks, please read the information set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in our registration statement on Form S-1 and other documents filed with the SEC, which describe additional factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations. The Company's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business, or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.