Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent of Truth Social, revealed a major shift on December 18, 2025, with plans to merge with fusion energy company TAE Technologies.
The deal aims to build clean power sources for growing AI needs.
Deal Structure and Valuation
The $6 billion all-stock transaction values TAE shares at $53.89 each, based on Trump Media’s recent average price.
Shareholders from both firms will hold about 50% stakes in the new entity on a fully diluted basis.
Trump Media has pledged up to $300 million in cash to TAE, with $200 million at signing and $100 million after the initial Form S-4 filing.
The merger, approved by both boards, is set to close in mid-2026, pending shareholder and regulatory nods.
No recent Form 8-K filing on the merger appears in SEC records as of December 19, 2025, likely due to the announcement’s timing.
Market Reaction and Financial Impact
Trump Media’s stock, traded as DJT, jumped in premarket trading after the news.
Shares rose more than 24%, adding about $500 million to Donald Trump’s net worth from his holdings.
Other reports noted surges up to 33% or 40%, showing investor interest in the fusion energy pivot.
Trump Media reported $3.1 billion in financial assets as of the third quarter of 2025.
Leadership and Strategic Goals
Devin Nunes of Trump Media and Michl Binderbauer of TAE will serve as co-CEOs.
The board will include Nunes, Donald Trump Jr., Binderbauer, and others.
The focus is on using fusion to meet AI power demands, lower energy costs, and support U.S. manufacturing and defense.
TAE, backed by over $1.3 billion from investors like Google and Chevron, has built five reactors and holds 1,600 patents.
The merger creates one of the first public fusion energy companies.
Fusion Plant Plans and Future Outlook
The combined firm plans to start site selection and construction on the world’s first utility-scale fusion plant in 2026, aiming for 50 megawatts of output.
Later plants could reach 350-500 megawatts. This step targets clean, abundant energy to fuel AI data centers amid rising electricity use.
The deal positions Trump Media beyond social media, into deep tech.
TAE’s units, like TAE Power Solutions for energy storage and TAE Life Sciences for cancer treatment, will join under the new structure.
Analysts see risks in fusion’s tech hurdles but note the capital boost could speed progress.
