Last December, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (NYSE:DJT) made a significant move by entering the nuclear fusion race through a $6 billion merger with California-based fusion startup TAE Technologies. This merger created one of the world’s first publicly traded nuclear fusion companies. The deal, expected to close in mid-2026, will see shareholders of both companies owning roughly 50% of the new entity. TMTG has agreed to provide TAE Technologies with up to $200 million in cash upon signing and an additional $100 million upon filing regulatory documents. The co-CEOs of the combined company will be Devin Nunes, the current CEO of TMTG, and Michl Binderbauer, the CEO of TAE, with Donald Trump Jr. also joining the board.
Founded in 1998, TAE Technologies has a vision to deploy commercial, utility-scale fusion energy. The company is set to begin construction of its first fusion power plant in 2026, which is expected to generate 350-500 MWe. With backing from high-profile investors like Google, Chevron Corp., Goldman Sachs, and Sumitomo Corporation of America, TAE Technologies has raised over $1.3 billion. The fusion startup plans to utilize neutral particle beams and magnets in its fusion reactors instead of standard lasers.
While Trump Media’s merger with TAE Technologies marks a significant milestone in the nuclear fusion industry, it is not the first fusion company to go public. General Fusion, a Canadian company, announced a merger with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. III, making it the first publicly traded nuclear fusion company. General Fusion is valued at approximately $1 billion and is expected to close the deal in Q2 2026.
Various fusion companies are pursuing different fusion reactor designs to achieve their goal of sustainable energy production. TAE Technologies unveiled its sixth-generation research machine, “Norm,” which demonstrated the ability to form and stabilize plasma using neutral beam injection (NBI). This breakthrough reduces reactor size and costs significantly. TAE is also developing Hydrogen-Boron aneutronic fuel, which produces no neutrons, radioactive waste, or carbon emissions.
Other companies like Commonwealth Fusion Systems are utilizing tokamak technology with high-temperature superconducting magnets to create a compact and efficient fusion device. These magnets, made from Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide (ReBCO), are much stronger than traditional superconducting magnets, allowing for smaller devices to produce more power.
The world is edging closer to making nuclear fusion a reality, with companies like Helion Energy aiming to produce electricity through fusion by 2028. Washington-based Helion Energy plans to supply at least 50 MWe to Microsoft from its first commercial plant, Orion. Commonwealth Fusion Systems is targeting the early 2030s for its ARC reactor to be operational.
Despite these advancements, large-scale production of fusion power is still likely decades away, with projects like ITER expected to come online in the 2050s. The fusion energy sector is evolving rapidly, with innovative technologies and investments driving progress towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
