A golf club company backed by Donald Trump's sons is merging with drone manufacturer Powerus in a deal to take the drone technology firm public. The merger between Aureus Greenway Holdings and Powerus represents the latest venture for Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr in the drone sector, following a $1.5bn tie-up last month between Israeli drone maker Xtend and Florida-based JFB Construction Holdings.
Powerus, founded in 2025 by Andrew Fox, produces heavy-lift drones capable of carrying industrial payloads up to 675kg. The company also offers services to convert existing crewed boats into remotely operated or fully autonomous vessels. Fox is expected to serve as chief executive and chair of the combined company, according to an SEC filing.
In connection with the merger, Aureus has engaged Dominari Securities to raise approximately $9m in financing. Both Trump brothers are shareholders in Dominari, each holding a roughly 6% stake. The merger can be terminated by either party if it does not close by the end of 2026.
Drones have become a major procurement priority for the Pentagon and are widely used in Ukraine, where dense air defence systems limit the use of conventional aircraft. This growing reliance has attracted significant Silicon Valley funding into drone and military AI startups, boosting valuations of US companies such as Anduril Industries and Shield AI.
Ethics experts have raised concerns over the Trump family's intensified business dealings during Donald Trump's second term, which have expanded beyond hotels and golf courses into crypto, energy, and financial services. While US presidents typically place assets in a blind trust, Trump has instead given his adult sons control over his businesses, a move critics say offers insufficient protection against potential conflicts of interest.
