"it shouldn’t matter if you buy on margin or with cash, the split should hit both accounts at the same time." Of course it shouldn't matter.
We are not talking about buying with cash or margin. We are talking about the account (cash or margin) that shares are held in. If shares are held in a cash account, they can't be lent. If shares are held in a margin account, they can be lent.
i know this.
and i think we both know how it should work, and what the intention of the rules are.
but me, you, others, have been speculating about the manipulation...
i think now is the time we may pick up more clues from posters about how their positions are being handled and what that may mean is happening under the hood
id love to get to the bottom of it! or at least be able to place one or more pieces to complete the puzzle...