Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (DJT) shares surged Thursday after announcing it will merge with TAE Technologies, a nuclear fusion company that's been quietly working on next-generation energy solutions for more than twenty years.
The all-stock deal is valued at over $6 billion, and it's getting attention for a compelling reason: this could be the first publicly traded fusion energy company. That's a pretty big deal in a market where clean energy options remain limited and AI's appetite for power keeps growing.
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives sees this merger as essentially a bet on TAE's technology and expertise. TAE has built and safely operated multiple fusion reactors over the past two decades, achieving what Ives describes as several meaningful breakthroughs in energy generation and reactor design. Those advances put TAE near the top of the global fusion development race.
Why Fusion Matters Now
The timing here isn't accidental. Energy constraints tied to artificial intelligence growth are becoming harder to ignore, and Ives describes clean nuclear technology as strategically critical in what he calls the global energy race. Fusion represents a long-term answer to energy scarcity, and it's getting urgent attention as China pours money into its own fusion and nuclear infrastructure.
TAE plans to build the world's first utility-scale fusion plant within the next year, with additional plants featuring significantly higher capacity potentially following over time. Here's where it gets interesting: fusion facilities face fewer regulatory hurdles than traditional nuclear plants. They're classified as industrial facilities rather than nuclear reactors, which means shorter permitting timelines and no meltdown risks. That distinction improves both project feasibility and investor appeal.
Deep Pockets and Political Tailwinds
TAE has long-standing support from major institutional and strategic investors, including large technology, energy, and financial firms. The company could also benefit from strong political support in the United States, which Ives believes may accelerate domestic fusion development efforts.
With the merger, TAE now has what Ives estimates to be roughly $2 billion in available capital to play a central role in U.S. fusion ambitions. That's substantial firepower in a sector where public market options remain scarce. Ives pointed to Oklo Inc. (OKLO) as one of the few leading examples among listed nuclear-focused companies.
The Bigger Picture
Investors are increasingly focused on energy assets tied to AI expansion, including nuclear, grid infrastructure, utilities, and traditional energy providers. Ives says energy supply remains the biggest constraint on long-term AI growth, and that reality is reshaping investment priorities.
China continues investing aggressively in fusion and nuclear infrastructure, which increases pressure on the United States to respond. Ives expects competition between U.S. technology leaders and China to intensify, shaping investment winners through the next decade.
The analyst views this merger as positioning the combined company to become the face of U.S. energy ambition at a moment when the stakes couldn't be higher.
DJT Price Action: Trump Media & Tech Gr shares were up 34.83% at $14.11 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to market data.