Trump era spurs $1.5T US M&A surge, SpaceX buys xAI for $250B

The resurgence of Donald Trump to the White House has reportedly revitalized corporate interest in mergers and acquisitions, according to Bloomberg Markets. This renewed enthusiasm appears to be leading to a spike in large-scale deals, with $1.5 trillion in U.S.-targeted announced deals in the first half of 2026. Notable transactions include SpaceX’s significant acquisition of xAI for $250 billion. This environment may also be influencing the outlook for a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX, a scenario that markets are closely monitoring. In the prediction markets, the likelihood of a Tesla and SpaceX merger being officially announced by December 31 remains low, currently priced at just 9% YES. However, the probability increases significantly for announcements by January 1, 2028, with odds reflecting a 66.5% YES. The potential for such a merger appears consistent with the broader trend of increased M&A activity under Trump’s administration, although challenges such as borrowing costs and macroeconomic uncertainties persist. Markets are watching for further developments that could influence these odds. Key indicators include potential statements from Elon Musk or formal f...