West Palm Beach, FL – The sons of former President Donald Trump are increasing their financial stake in the drone industry as the Pentagon prepares to significantly boost spending on unmanned aerial systems. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. Are backing Powerus, a Florida-based drone company, through a merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings, a publicly traded golf course company, signaling a strategic move to capitalize on growing defense contracts.
The merger, announced Monday, is expected to allow Powerus to quickly access public funding to scale manufacturing and expand its operations. This investment comes amid a broader trend of increased interest in drone technology from the U.S. Department of Defense, with plans to invest $1.1 billion to acquire hundreds of thousands of drones by 2027 and establish a robust domestic production base for these systems, according to recent announcements.
Shares of Aureus Greenway Holdings jumped as much as 24% following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the potential of the combined company. The Korea Climate & Governance Improvement Fund has too invested $50 million in the deal, as initially reported by the Wall Street Journal. This move builds on previous investments by the Trump family in the drone sector, including a $1.5 billion deal last month supporting the public listing of Israeli drone manufacturer XTEND through a merger with a Nasdaq-listed construction company.
Powerus Capabilities and Market Focus
Powerus specializes in the production of advanced drones, including “heavy-lift unmanned aerial systems capable of 500 lb.+ payloads, tactical defense platforms, and maritime surveillance systems,” according to a company press release. The company has acquired three smaller drone manufacturers in the last six months, demonstrating rapid expansion. Powerus aims to produce up to 10,000 drones per month, targeting the increased demand from the Pentagon and potentially benefiting from reduced foreign competition for these contracts.
Investors in the newly formed company include American Ventures, an investment firm backed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and Dominari Securities, an investment bank with ties to the Trump family. Unusual Machines, a drone-parts company where Donald Trump Jr. Is a shareholder and advisory board member, is also listed as an investor, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Growing Pentagon Reliance on Drone Technology
The increased investment in drone technology by the Pentagon is driven by several factors, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where drones have proven crucial due to the presence of dense air defense systems that limit the apply of conventional aircraft. This reliance has also attracted significant funding from Silicon Valley into drone and military artificial intelligence startups, boosting valuations of U.S. Companies like Anduril Industries and Shield AI, Reuters reports.
Powerus, founded in 2025 by Andrew Fox, manufactures heavy-lift drones capable of carrying industrial payloads up to 675 kg and also offers services to convert existing manned boats into remotely operated or fully autonomous vessels. Fox is expected to continue as CEO and chairman of the combined company, Aureus Greenway, according to a regulatory filing. The financial details of the merger were not disclosed.
In connection with the merger, Aureus has engaged Dominari Securities to raise approximately $9 million in financing from investors, including Unusual Machines and Agostinelli Group. Dominari Securities counts both Trump brothers among its shareholders, with roughly 6% stakes each, while Unusual Machines tapped Trump Jr. As an advisor in November 2024.
What to Watch Next
The completion of the merger between Aureus Greenway and Powerus will be a key indicator of the Trump family’s continued expansion into the defense technology sector. The company’s ability to secure contracts with the Pentagon and scale production to meet the anticipated demand will be closely watched. Further developments in the Pentagon’s drone procurement plans and the evolving landscape of drone technology will also shape the future of Powerus and its competitors.
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