Trump Sons' Drone Company Seeks Deals with Gulf States Amid Iran Tensions

Powerus, backed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., looks to sell interceptor drones to countries under threat from Iran.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:10pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting of a drone interceptor in mid-flight, repeated in overlapping, geometric waves of dark grey, navy blue, and metallic silver, conveying a sense of motion and conflict.The Trump family's drone company seeks to capitalize on tensions in the Middle East, raising ethical concerns about profiting from war.NYC Today

A drone maker backed by President Donald Trump's two oldest sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., is seeking to sell its drone interceptor technology to Gulf countries that are under threat from Iran and protected by the U.S. military led by their father. The company, Powerus, recently raised $60 million from investors and is looking to go public through a reverse merger with a Trump-owned company.

Why it matters

This case highlights potential conflicts of interest and ethical concerns around the Trump family's business dealings, as the company backed by the president's sons stands to potentially benefit from a war that their father initiated without congressional approval. There are questions about whether these Gulf countries are being pressured to purchase from the president's sons to curry favor.

The details

Powerus, founded by U.S. Army Special Operations veterans about a year ago, makes drones for commercial uses but is now bulking up to supply drones for military uses. The company is making sales pitches and drone demonstrations to several Gulf countries to show how its defensive drone interceptors could help them ward off Iranian attacks. Powerus co-founder Brett Velicovich says the company is 'at war' and in an 'arms race' with China and Russia, and that anyone investing in American manufacturing 'transcends politics'.

  • In March 2026, Powerus announced a deal to bring aboard Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. as investors.
  • In April 2026, the U.S. launched strikes with Israel against Iran, sparking a war and creating demand for drone defense systems in the Gulf region.

The players

Powerus

A drone maker founded by U.S. Army Special Operations veterans about a year ago, which makes drones for commercial uses but is now bulking up to supply drones for military uses.

Eric Trump

The older son of former President Donald Trump, who has recently invested in Powerus.

Donald Trump Jr.

The older son of former President Donald Trump, who has recently invested in Powerus.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who launched strikes against Iran without congressional approval, creating demand for drone defense systems in the Gulf region that Powerus is seeking to fulfill.

Brett Velicovich

The co-founder of Powerus, who is an Army veteran and is positioning the company to help the U.S. 'catch up with Chinese and Russian drone makers'.

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What they’re saying

“These countries are under enormous pressure to buy from the sons of the president so he will do what they want. This is going to be the first family of a president to make a lot of money off war — a war he didn't get the consent of Congress for.”

— Richard Painter, Former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush

“Our team is doing many demos across the Middle East right now for our interceptors. We have very incredible tech that can save lives.”

— Brett Velicovich, Powerus co-founder

“We are at war, my friend, we are in an arms race and America will lose if we don't build fast. We should be thankful anyone is trying to invest in American manufacturing now. That idea transcends politics.”

— Brett Velicovich, Powerus co-founder

“I am incredibly proud to invest in companies I believe in. Drones are clearly the wave of the future.”

— Eric Trump

What’s next

Powerus is hoping to tap additional financing by doing a 'reverse merger' with a Trump company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange that owns a few golf courses in Florida. This would allow the private drone maker to quickly go public by taking over a company that already has publicly traded shares.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential for conflicts of interest and ethical concerns when the president's family members are involved in businesses that stand to benefit from military actions and policies initiated by the president. It raises questions about whether these Gulf countries are being pressured to purchase from the president's sons in order to curry favor, and whether the Trump family is profiting from a war that did not receive congressional approval.