Trump Sons' Golf Club Company Merges with Drone Manufacturer Powerus
A golf club firm owned by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr is merging with drone manufacturer Powerus in a deal aimed at taking the drone technology company public. The merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings represents the latest expansion of the Trump brothers' investments into the drone sector, following a recent $1.5 billion tie-up between Israeli drone maker XTEND and Florida-based JFB Construction Holdings.
Growing Drone Sector and Military Applications
Drones have become a critical procurement priority for the Pentagon and are extensively deployed in conflict zones like Ukraine, where dense air defense systems restrict the use of conventional aircraft. This increasing reliance has attracted significant funding from Silicon Valley into drone and military artificial intelligence startups, driving up valuations for companies such as Anduril Industries and Shield AI.
Powerus, founded in 2025 by Andrew Fox, specializes in heavy-lift drones capable of carrying industrial payloads up to 675 kilograms. The company also provides services to convert existing manned boats into remotely operated or fully autonomous vessels. Fox is expected to serve as chief executive officer and chairman of the combined entity, according to an SEC filing by Aureus.
Financing and Shareholder Details
In connection with the planned merger, Aureus has engaged Dominari Securities to assist in raising approximately $9 million in financing. Dominari counts both Trump brothers among its shareholders, with each holding roughly a 6% stake. The merger agreement includes a provision allowing either company to terminate the deal if it does not close by the end of 2026.
Ethics Concerns Over Trump Family Business Moves
This merger is part of a series of business activities by the Trump family, conducted while Donald Trump serves his second term in the White House. Ethics experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the family's intensified business dealings during this period, which have expanded beyond traditional sectors like hotels and golf courses into industries including cryptocurrency, energy, and financial services.
Typically, U.S. presidents place their financial interests into a blind trust managed by an independent third party to avoid conflicts of interest. However, Trump has opted to grant his adult sons control over his businesses, a move that ethics experts argue provides insufficient protection against potential conflicts.
Recent Business Ventures and International Ties
Late last year, Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Trump's Truth Social platform, announced a $6 billion merger with a fusion energy technology company, committing $300 million in cash to support the development of this emerging technology. In February, a Wall Street Journal report revealed that a member of the Emirati royal family invested $500 million into the Trump family's cryptocurrency company. Shortly after, Trump announced that the United Arab Emirates would lift export controls and grant access to 500,000 of Nvidia's powerful AI chips.
The ongoing business activities of the Trump sons highlight the intersection of family enterprises with political office, sparking debates over transparency and ethical governance in the current administration.
