Trump Media & Technology Group surprised markets with an announcement that pushes the company far beyond its original social media focus, igniting a sharp rally in its Nasdaq-listed shares and opening a new chapter in its corporate strategy.

Shares of Trump Media, which trades under the ticker DJT, surged more than 27% after the company revealed plans to combine with fusion energy developer TAE Technologies in a transaction valued at over $6 billion.

Key Takeaways

• Trump Media plans an all-stock merger with fusion firm TAE Technologies, marking a major pivot away from its social media roots

• DJT shares jumped more than 20 percent following the announcement

• The combined company would become one of the first publicly traded fusion energy players

• The deal is expected to close in 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approval 

The move immediately reshaped investor expectations, signaling a pivot toward one of the most ambitious and capital-intensive technologies in the global energy race.

From social platform to energy ambitions

Since going public, Trump Media has been closely tied to Truth Social, its flagship platform and primary source of revenue through advertising. While the company has recently tested adjacent areas such as streaming and digital asset exposure, its business model has remained relatively narrow – and financially challenging. The firm has posted consecutive quarterly losses, including a sizable deficit in its most recent reporting period.

The proposed merger dramatically changes that trajectory. Instead of focusing solely on audience growth and digital monetization, Trump Media is now positioning itself as a gateway to large-scale infrastructure and long-term technological development, an unusual leap for a company born in the social media sector.

What the deal changes

Under the proposed structure, Trump Media and TAE Technologies would combine in an all-stock transaction, resulting in shared ownership of the new entity. Existing investors on both sides would end up with roughly equal exposure to the merged company once all shares are accounted for.

President Donald Trump remains central to the story. Through a trust structure, he holds the largest stake in Trump Media, making the merger a significant expansion of his business footprint into advanced energy and scientific research.

A public bet on fusion

TAE Technologies has spent years developing fusion-based power systems, a field widely viewed as a potential solution to future energy shortages if commercialization becomes viable. By taking the company public through Trump Media, the merger would create one of the first opportunities for public-market investors to gain direct exposure to fusion development.

The companies have outlined plans to move toward a utility-scale fusion facility beginning in 2026, a timeline that places the venture firmly in the long-term category rather than near-term revenue generation.

Leadership and next steps

Following the merger, Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes and TAE Technologies chief executive Michl Binderbauer are expected to jointly lead the combined company. Trump Media’s existing brands and platforms would continue operating under Nunes’ oversight, while fusion development remains a core strategic focus.

The transaction is still subject to regulatory review and shareholder approval, with completion targeted for 2026. If finalized, it would represent one of the most unconventional pivots seen among recently public media companies – transforming a politically charged social platform into a vehicle for next-generation energy investment.