Here's how Trump's new fusion company could navigate the road ahead

Let's explore what's next for the year's surprise odd couple: Trump Media's merger with TAE Technologies, a company trying to commercialize fusion.Why it matters: The deal injects new cash into TAE as fusion — long more science fiction than energy reality — moves closer to commercial scale. The merger — if it goes through — with President Trump's publicly traded media group will offer the first test of public markets' appetite for the tech. And it's a massive pivot for Trump Media, which saw a big share price bounce yesterday but remains down 56% this year.A few nuggets that have emerged since the news first broke ...1. Ambitious plans: TAE hopes to start producing power by 2031 from a 50-megawatt reactor it plans to start building next year with new financing from the merger.2. Big name on board: Donald Trump, Jr. will be on the merged company's board.3. Democrats wary: The deal "raises significant concerns about conflicts of interest and avenues for potential corruption," said Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, a fusion booster who co-founded the bipartisan House fusion energy caucus.His statement notes public funding for fusion R&D and says Trump has used federal power and taxpayer money to advance his family interests.Catch up quick: The deal will provide TAE, whose prior backers include Google, up to $200 million in cash at signing.Another $100M is available upon formally notifying the SEC, the companies said.The intrigue: The company plans to be solely energy-focused, which means Truth Social and other Trump Media assets could be sold or separated, a source familiar with the deal tells Axios. TAE CEO Michl Binderbauer didn't confirm or deny this in an interview with Axios. What we're watching: Asked if TAE is in talks with hyperscalers about power offtake deals, Binderbauer cited TAE's ties to Google and said it more broadly "knows the space very well," but added: "I'm not ready to announce a deal there at this point."The company has previously raised $1.3 billion in private capital from investors including Google, Chevron, Sumitomo and NEA. Binderbauer also said TAE is generating revenue through its power management and life sciences spinoffs. He didn't rule out seeking federal funding as the company looks to build additional plants.What's next: The companies need approval from shareholders and regulators to merge, which they expect to do in mid-2026.How TAE trades over the next months and years will signal whether the public markets have the patience for fusion at its pre-commercial stage, with its complicated technologies and long timelines.Dan Primack and Alex Fitzpatrick contributed.Disclosure: In 2023, TMTG sued 20 media organizations, including Axios, for defamation. That suit in Florida is ongoing.