In a move raising fresh questions about ethics and influence in Washington, Donald Trump Jr. is positioned to profit significantly from a new U.S. Army drone procurement deal—despite having no formal role in government. The beneficiary? A Florida-based startup, Unusual Machines, that only began domestic manufacturing of drone motors a few weeks ago and counts Trump Jr. as a paid adviser .
Trump Jr.’s Ties to Pentagon Drone Supplier
Unusual Machines recently secured its first major defense contract: a $225,000 order from the Army’s 101st Airborne Division for 3,500 drone motors. The Army may purchase up to 20,000 more next year. The timing is striking—the company only shifted from importing Chinese parts to assembling motors in Ohio and Orlando this month .
Last year, Unusual Machines awarded Trump Jr. 200,000 shares as compensation for his advisory role. With the company’s stock surging after his appointment, those shares are now valued at approximately $2.6 million.
From Mar-a-Lago Demo to Military Contract
The connection between Trump Jr. and the drone firm traces back to February 2025, when a demonstration of Unusual Machines’ technology was held at Mar-a-Lago—President Trump’s private club. Trump Jr. attended the event, though the drone flight was cut short by Secret Service due to the president’s presence .
“A lot of good feedback on the investor base,” said Allan Evans, CEO of Unusual Machines, recalling the meeting.
Defense Policy Meets Family Business
The Army’s push for domestically made drones aligns with a broader Trump administration directive to eliminate Chinese-made components over national security concerns. Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll, a former venture capitalist appointed by President Trump, has championed rapid adoption of low-cost, expendable drones—many of which now use Unusual Machines parts .
While Pentagon officials say Trump Jr. never lobbied them directly, his influence is hard to ignore. He helped screen candidates for top Defense Department roles and has publicly advocated for drone investment over traditional fighter jets.
Broader Financial Web
Trump Jr.’s stake in Unusual Machines is just one thread in a growing web of defense-related investments. Through 1789 Capital—a venture firm he’s involved with—he also backs Firehawk Aerospace, Anduril, and SpaceX, all of which have landed Pentagon contracts in 2025.
He and his brother Eric also serve as advisers to Dominari Securities, a Trump Tower–based investment bank that led Unusual Machines’ IPO and holds over $1.4 billion in defense-tech capital.
Unusual Machines: Capabilities Under Scrutiny
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 (as drone parts brand) |
| U.S. Manufacturing Start | October 2025 |
| Employees | ~50 (12 in manufacturing) |
| Army Order Value | $225,000 (initial) |
| Pentagon Certification | Blue UAS compliant |
Despite Pentagon certification, customer reviews of Unusual Machines’ commercial products—sold under the Rotor Riot brand—have cited reliability issues. CEO Evans acknowledged early production challenges but insists military-grade parts meet strict standards.
Ethical Questions, No Rules Broken
Legal experts note there are no explicit laws barring presidential children from profiting off government contracts. “Don Jr. has pushed the envelope,” said tax attorney Megan Gorman, author of a book on presidential family wealth. “But there are no rules—though maybe there should be.”
A spokesman for Trump Jr. denied any impropriety: “Don is a lifelong businessman and does not interface with the federal government as part of his role with Unusual Machines.”
