Whistleblower Trump Media executive says firm violated federal securities laws

Will Wilkerson, co-founder of Trump's media company, also alleges that ex-president pressured executives to give shares to Melania

The co-founder of Donald Trump's beleaguered social media company has turned whistleblower, alleging the firm violated federal securities laws and that the former president pressured executives to hand over lucrative shares to his wife.

Will Wilkerson, a former Trump Media and Technology Group executive, has told the US government's financial watchdog that the company's bid to raise more than $1bn via an investment vehicle known as a special purpose acquisition company (Spac), relied on fraudulent misrepresentations ... in violation of federal securities laws."