Aureus Greenway Holdings, a golf club company with ties to the sons of former President Donald Trump, is set to merge with Powerus, a drone manufacturer, in a deal that will take the technology firm public. The merger, announced Monday, positions Powerus to capitalize on increasing U.S. Military demand for drones and the current administration’s restrictions on Chinese drone technology.
Donald Trump Jr. And Eric Trump are investors in Aureus Greenway Holdings, according to statements released by the companies. The deal will result in Powerus trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange in the coming months. Powerus, founded in 2025, specializes in heavy-lift drones capable of carrying payloads up to 675kg, and also offers services to convert manned vessels into remotely operated or autonomous systems.
The merger is structured as a reverse merger, with Aureus Greenway Holdings acquiring Powerus. Aureus has engaged Dominari Securities to raise approximately $9 million in financing to support the transaction. Dominari Securities lists both Trump Jr. And Eric Trump as shareholders, each holding roughly a 6% stake in the firm, according to an SEC filing related to the deal.
Powerus intends to acquire Ukrainian drone technology for sale to the U.S. Military, a move that comes as drones have grow a critical component of modern warfare, particularly highlighted by their use in Ukraine where conventional aircraft deployment is limited by dense air defenses. The Pentagon has identified drone procurement as a major priority.
This investment by the Trump family follows a recent $1.5 billion tie-up between Israeli drone maker XTEND and JFB Construction Holdings, further demonstrating growing family involvement in the defense sector. The broader drone and military artificial intelligence industries have also attracted significant Silicon Valley investment, with companies like Anduril Industries and Shield AI experiencing increased valuations.
The Trump sons’ involvement in Powerus has prompted scrutiny from ethics experts, who have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. During his presidency, Donald Trump opted to place control of his businesses in the hands of his adult sons rather than establishing a blind trust, a practice typically employed by U.S. Presidents to distance themselves from financial interests. Experts contend this arrangement offers insufficient protection against potential conflicts.
The merger with Powerus is the latest in a series of business ventures undertaken by the Trump family during and after the former president’s time in office, extending beyond traditional holdings like hotels and golf courses into areas such as cryptocurrency, energy, and financial services. Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, recently announced a $6 billion merger with a fusion energy technology company, while a member of the Emirati royal family reportedly invested $500 million into a Trump family cryptocurrency venture.
Aureus Greenway has the option to terminate the merger if it does not close by the end of 2026. Andrew Fox, founder of Powerus, is expected to serve as chief executive officer and chair of the combined company.
