In a recent post on his social media platform, Truth Social, former President Donald Trump expressed his dismay over the delayed sale of Forbes magazine, while also questioning its ownership and criticizing the writers associated with the publication. The sale of Forbes to 28-year-old American entrepreneur Austin Russell hit a roadblock, leading Trump to label it as "really bad news" for himself, referring to his exclusion from the magazine's prestigious Forbes 400 list in the past.

Trump's initial claim that Forbes magazine is "owned by China" was proven incorrect, as the publication was actually sold to Russell back in May for a staggering $800 million. However, recent reports have indicated that the deal has yet to be finalized, despite a two-week extension. The delay was caused by the failure of Indian investment firm Sun Group, among other investors, to send the owed funds. Nevertheless, negotiations are currently underway between Russell and Hong Kong-based investment firm Integrated Whale Media to proceed with the sale.

Trump's peculiar mention of Russia in his post appears to be based on misguided information. In October, the Washington Post reported on Russian oligarch Magomed Musaev's alleged involvement in the purchase of Forbes. However, Forbes has unequivocally denied Musaev's claim and stated that there is no Russian capital or control in the transaction. It is worth noting that Russell was reportedly present at a party with Musaev earlier this year.

Furthermore, Trump criticized the writers at Forbes, describing them as "bad" and labeling the outlet as a source of "fake news." Contrary to his claims, Forbes boasts over 150 million readers monthly, suggesting that its content is well-received. Additionally, Trump's removal from the Forbes 400 list last year sparked his frustration, leading him to lash out at the publication for its alleged bias.

Forbes responded to Trump's grievances, clarifying that his removal from the Forbes 400 list was based on an evaluation of his net worth and had nothing to do with ownership or political motivations. The magazine emphasized its commitment to accuracy in valuing Trump's fortune and emphasized that the ownership, which does not include China's wealth fund, plays no role in the process.

In his ongoing social media tirade, Trump also took aim at The Atlantic, celebrating its alleged financial struggles. Trump's criticisms of the publication's supposed decline suggest ongoing concerns about its sustainability.

As of now, it remains to be seen whether the sale of Forbes will be successfully completed, while Trump's claims regarding ownership and the credibility of the writers continue to be challenged by the magazine's responses. The spat between Trump and Forbes underscores the ongoing tension between the former president and the media, as he continues to assert his influence and voice his grievances on various platforms.