In a significant corporate move, shareholders of Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) have given their formal approval for a merger with TAe Technologies, a company specialising in energy innovations. The deal, valued at approximately $1.5 billion, paves the way for the creation of a new, combined entity.
A Strategic Union of Media and Energy
The merger, finalised through a shareholder vote on Thursday, December 18, 2025, will see TMTG—the parent company of the social media platform Truth Social—join forces with TAe Technologies. The newly formed company will operate under the name TAe Energy Holdings Inc., with its shares expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol 'TAEE' from Monday, December 22.
This strategic pivot marks a notable shift for TMTG, which will now be anchored within the energy sector. The transaction is structured as an all-stock deal, meaning TMTG shareholders will receive shares in the new TAe Energy Holdings. The combined company will be led by TAe's current chief executive, Patrick Orlando.
Market Reaction and Financial Implications
The announcement has sent ripples through the financial markets. Following the news, shares in Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC)—the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that initially took TMTG public—experienced a sharp decline. DWAC's stock price fell by over 20% in after-hours trading, reflecting investor uncertainty about the future of the shell company post-merger.
For Donald Trump, who remains the chairman and leading shareholder of TMTG, the merger represents a major financial event. His stake in the combined entity is substantial, though the precise valuation will be subject to the volatile stock market. The deal's closure provides a liquidity event for TMTG's investors and integrates the company into the traditionally more stable energy industry.
Background and Broader Context
This merger concludes a lengthy and complex process for TMTG. The company first went public via a merger with DWAC in early 2024, a move that was initially met with great fanfare but was followed by significant stock price volatility and financial losses. The pivot towards energy through the TAe merger is viewed by analysts as an attempt to stabilise the business and tap into new growth markets.
TAe Technologies, while not a household name, focuses on energy sector innovations. The merger documentation suggests the combined company will pursue opportunities in energy development, though specific projects or technologies have not been detailed publicly. The leadership transition means that while Trump retains a significant ownership stake, the day-to-day operations will be managed by TAe's existing executive team under Patrick Orlando.
The coming weeks will be critical for TAe Energy Holdings as it begins its life as a public company. Investors and market watchers will be closely monitoring its stock performance, strategic announcements, and how it balances its legacy media asset, Truth Social, with its new ambitions in the energy sector. The merger stands as one of the most unconventional corporate stories of the year, blending politics, media, and energy in a unique and highly scrutinised combination.
