Merger to Take Drone Firm Public Marks Latest Move by Trump Sons
A golf club company supported by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr is merging with drone manufacturer Powerus in a transaction aimed at taking the drone technology firm public.
The merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings represents the latest step in the Trump brothers’ expanding investments in the drone industry. This follows last month’s $1.5 billion deal between Israeli drone maker XTEND and Florida-based JFB Construction Holdings. Drones have become a significant procurement focus for the Pentagon and are extensively used in Ukraine, where dense air defense systems near the front lines restrict the use of conventional aircraft.
This increased reliance on drones has attracted substantial Silicon Valley funding into drone and military artificial intelligence startups, elevating the valuations of U.S. companies such as Anduril Industries and Shield AI.
About Powerus and the Merger Details
Powerus, established 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.
According to an SEC filing by Aureus, Fox is expected to assume the roles of chief executive officer and chairman of the combined entity.
In connection with the planned merger, Aureus has engaged Dominari Securities to assist in raising approximately $9 million in financing.
Dominari Securities counts both Trump brothers among its shareholders, each holding roughly a 6% stake.
Aureus stated that either company may terminate the merger if it does not close by the end of 2026.
Trump Family Business Activities Amid Presidency
This transaction is part of the Trump family’s ongoing business activities, which have continued during Donald Trump’s tenure in the White House. Ethics experts have expressed concerns regarding the family’s increased business dealings during Trump’s second term, which have expanded beyond hotels and golf courses into sectors such as cryptocurrency, energy, and financial services.
Typically, U.S. presidents place their financial interests into a blind trust managed by an independent third party. However, Trump chose to delegate control of his businesses to his adult sons during his second term, a practice ethics experts argue does not sufficiently prevent potential conflicts of interest.
Other Recent Trump-Related Business Deals
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. The deal included a commitment to provide $300 million in cash to support the development of the 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 thereafter, Trump announced that the United Arab Emirates would lift export controls to allow access to 500,000 of Nvidia’s advanced AI chips.
