If the rumors are "verbatim from the company president" then there is a very very long list of blatant lies told to shareholders by the president.
Now which one sounds mor likely? A shareholder who has been telling people to buy for 6 years of losses makes up a rumor to try to entice the pps to move.
Or
A company president with millions on the line lied blatantly to sooth a day trader by giving material non-public info over the phone. Risking the company and his own lifestyle in the process
I know both seem feasible down here in stinky pink land but i know where my bet is placed