Trump Media to merge with fusion startup TAE in $6B all-stock deal

Trump Media and TAE Technologies shook financial markets today after both companies announced a plan to merge in an all-stock deal worth more than $6 billion, according to a press release distributed through Globe Newswire.

Each group will be holding about 50% of the equity once the merger closes in mid-2026, according to a press release by TAE on Thursday. Traders did not hesitate, pushing Trump Media shares up more than 35% as soon as the numbers hit the tape.

Anyway, the deal sets the companies up to begin work in 2026 on what they describe as the first utility-scale fusion power plant in the United States.

They set the size at 50 megawatts, with later plants planned at 350 to 500 megawatts once approvals come in. Both companies tied the plan directly to America’s push for stronger AI infrastructure under Trump’s second term, saying fusion could support energy supply for long-term national goals.

TMTG commits money and details its plan

TAE’s release said TMTG will provide up to $200 million in cash the moment the deal is signed, and another $100 million once the company files its Form S-4. The plan is to push that money straight toward TAE’s fusion work.

TAE has reportedly been working on this for more than 25 years, shrinking reactor size and lowering costs after years of experiments.

The company already built and operated five fusion reactors, and raised more than $1.3 billion from groups including Google, Chevron Technology Ventures, Goldman Sachs, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, NEA, and several well-known family offices.

Devin Nunes, the chair of TMTG, believes that:-

“Fusion power will be the most dramatic energy breakthrough since the onset of commercial nuclear energy in the 1950s—an innovation that will lower energy prices, boost supply, ensure America’s A.I.-supremacy, revive our manufacturing base and bolster national defense.”

Per the press release, Devin will later serve as Co-CEO of the combined company. Michl Binderbauer, TAE’s CEO, also said:-

“We’re excited to identify our first site and begin deploying this revolutionary technology that we expect to fundamentally transform America’s energy supply.”

Michl will also serve as Co-CEO.

Once the merger closes, Trump Media becomes the holding company for Truth Social, Truth+, Truth.Fi, TAE, TAE Power Solutions, and TAE Life Sciences.

Michael B. Schwab, founder of Big Sky Partners, will chair the new nine-member board. The release said the deal values each TAE share at $53.89, based on Trump Media’s trailing 30-day VWAP from December 17.

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