Introduction
The Trump family is rapidly expanding its footprint in the defense and drone technology sector. Following Eric Trump’s high‑profile investment in XTEND — a $1.5 billion deal that pushed the Israeli‑founded drone company toward a public listing — the family has now backed a second drone venture: Powerus, a Florida‑based unmanned systems company preparing to go public.
According to Bloomberg, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are investing in Powerus as the Pentagon ramps up spending on unmanned aircraft systems . This marks a clear pattern: the Trump family is positioning itself to benefit from the explosive growth of the U.S. drone and counter‑drone market.
A Second Major Drone Investment
Bloomberg reports that Powerus will go public through a merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings, a Nasdaq‑listed company linked to the Trump family. Shares of Aureus Greenway jumped as much as 24% following the announcement, signaling strong investor interest in the drone sector .
This move comes just months after Eric Trump invested in XTEND, a drone company specializing in human‑guided autonomous systems used by militaries and law enforcement. That deal, valued at $1.5 billion, significantly expanded the family’s defense‑sector presence .
Together, these two investments show a deliberate strategy: The Trump family is building a diversified portfolio across the UAS and counter‑UAS ecosystem.
Why the Trump Family Is Investing in Drone Companies
The timing is not accidental. Multiple sources note that the Pentagon is dramatically increasing its spending on unmanned aircraft systems, especially U.S.‑made drones.
1. Pentagon Demand Is Surging
The U.S. Department of Defense is preparing to spend billions on new drone programs, especially as it shifts away from Chinese‑made systems. Gizmodo reports that the Trump administration itself “helped set the stage for billions of dollars in new spending on U.S.-made drones” .
2. The U.S. Ban on Chinese Drones Created a Market Gap
The New Republic notes that Powerus aims to “fill the gaps left by the Trump administration’s ban on Chinese drones,” giving U.S. manufacturers a major opening in the defense market .
3. Counter‑UAS Is Becoming a Top Priority
With rising threats from hostile drones, hybrid warfare, and incursions near military bases, the DoD is accelerating procurement of both UAS and counter‑UAS systems — a market projected to exceed $35 billion globally.
The Trump family’s investments align directly with these trends.
Powerus: The Newest Addition to the Trump Defense Portfolio
Powerus, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, is positioning itself as a next‑generation drone manufacturer. According to Bloomberg:
The company is preparing to go public through a SPAC‑style merger.
The deal is backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
Dominari Holdings — the same boutique investment bank involved in the XTEND deal — advised on the transaction.
This suggests a coordinated investment strategy across multiple drone companies.
XTEND: The First Major Drone Investment
In early 2026, Eric Trump invested in XTEND, a company known for:
Human‑guided autonomous drones
Military and law‑enforcement applications
AI‑driven UAS systems
Bloomberg reported that XTEND will go public through a merger valued at $1.5 billion, with Eric Trump as a key investor and Donald Trump Jr. serving as an adviser to another drone manufacturer involved in the deal .
This investment established the Trump family’s initial foothold in the defense drone market.
A Clear Pattern: Building a Defense‑Sector Empire
Across both deals, several themes emerge:
1. Strategic Positioning in a High‑Growth Sector
The drone and counter‑drone markets are among the fastest‑growing segments of the defense industry.
2. Alignment With Pentagon Priorities
The Pentagon is expanding procurement of U.S.‑made drones and counter‑UAS systems — exactly the space where Powerus and XTEND operate.
3. Use of Trump‑Linked Financial Networks
Both deals involved Trump‑connected entities, including:
Aureus Greenway Holdings
Dominari Holdings
JFB Construction Holdings (XTEND merger partner)
4. Expansion Into Both UAS and Counter‑UAS
XTEND focuses on advanced drone operations. Powerus is positioned to supply drones to the Pentagon. Together, they cover both sides of the UAS ecosystem.
What This Means for the Drone Industry
The Trump family’s investments signal several broader trends:
U.S. drone manufacturing is accelerating as the government reduces reliance on foreign systems.
Private capital is flowing into defense tech, especially unmanned systems.
Political families are influencing defense markets, raising questions about access, influence, and procurement.
The counter‑UAS market is becoming mainstream, driven by rising threats and DoD spending.
For companies in the drone sector, this means increased competition — and increased opportunity.