Trump Sons–Backed Company to Sell Drones to Gulf States Attacked by Iran/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A drone company backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump is pitching Gulf nations under Iranian attack. The Florida-based firm is showcasing interceptor drones for defense against Iranian strikes. Ethics experts raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest during wartime.
Trump Family Drone Venture Quick Looks
- Trump sons join Florida drone company Powerus
- Company pitching drone interceptors to Gulf states
- Sales push occurs during Iran conflict
- Gulf nations currently under Iranian drone attacks
- Ethics experts warn of potential conflicts
- Trump sons expected to receive equity stakes
- Company conducting demonstrations in Middle East
- Powerus aims to expand military drone production
- Pentagon has $1.1 billion drone manufacturing initiative
- Company raised $60 million from investors
- Reverse merger planned with Trump-linked company
- Venture expands Trump sons’ business portfolio
Deep Look: Trump Sons–Backed Drone Firm Targets Gulf States Amid Iran Conflict
NEW YORK — A drone company backed by President Donald Trump’s two oldest sons is actively pursuing defense contracts with Gulf nations currently under attack from Iran, raising ethics concerns as the United States continues military operations in the region.
Florida-based Powerus, which recently brought Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump onboard, has begun demonstrating its drone interceptor technology across the Middle East. The company hopes to secure deals with Gulf states seeking protection against Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Powerus co-founder Brett Velicovich confirmed the company’s outreach, saying demonstrations are underway in multiple countries.
“Our team is doing many demos across the Middle East right now for our interceptors,” Velicovich told The Associated Press. “We have very incredible tech that can save lives.”
Velicovich declined to identify specific countries involved in the demonstrations or provide additional details about negotiations.
Ethics Concerns Raised
The effort has drawn scrutiny because the Trump sons could financially benefit from increased demand for military equipment during a conflict launched by their father.
Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, warned the arrangement could create pressure on foreign governments.
“These countries are under enormous pressure to buy from the sons of the president so he will do what they want,” Painter said. “This is going to be the first family of a president to make a lot of money off war.”
The Trump brothers’ agreement with Powerus could include significant equity stakes, positioning them to benefit if the company secures contracts with Gulf states.
Powerus previously dismissed concerns about conflicts of interest, emphasizing its goal of strengthening U.S. drone manufacturing and competing with foreign producers.
Expanding Drone Market
Velicovich argued the company’s mission goes beyond politics, highlighting growing global competition in drone technology.
“We are at war, my friend, we are in an arms race and America will lose if we don’t build fast,” Velicovich said. He also stressed the importance of boosting U.S. manufacturing to compete with Chinese and Russian drone makers.
Founded about a year ago by U.S. Army Special Operations veterans, Powerus initially developed drones for commercial purposes such as agriculture and wildfire response. The company is now expanding rapidly into military drone production.
The shift comes as demand grows for drone defense systems, particularly in regions facing missile and drone attacks.
Pentagon Funding Opportunity
Powerus is also positioning itself to benefit from a $1.1 billion Pentagon initiative aimed at strengthening domestic drone manufacturing. The funding follows a decision by the Trump administration to ban certain drone imports from China, creating new opportunities for U.S.-based companies.
The Trump sons’ involvement is part of a broader expansion of their business interests since their father returned to office. Their ventures now span industries including cryptocurrency, prediction markets, defense manufacturing, and rare earth materials.
The Trump Organization did not respond to requests for comment on the Powerus venture but has previously rejected claims of conflicts of interest. The Trump sons have said they plan to expand business activities more aggressively during Trump’s second term.
Eric Trump previously defended the investment, saying drones represent a key future technology.
“I am incredibly proud to invest in companies I believe in,” he said. “Drones are clearly the wave of the future.”
Rapid Growth Plans
Powerus recently raised $60 million from investors and is exploring additional funding through a reverse merger with a Trump-linked company listed on the Nasdaq. The merger would allow the drone firm to go public more quickly by combining with an already listed company.
Such a move could accelerate the company’s growth as demand for drone defense technology increases amid ongoing regional conflict.
With Gulf states seeking protection from Iranian attacks and U.S. military operations continuing, Powerus is positioning itself to capitalize on rising demand for interceptor drones.
The company’s ties to the president’s family, however, ensure the venture will remain under close scrutiny as the conflict continues and defense contracts are pursued.
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