Source: Fortune
Summary
Powerus, a drone maker backed by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., is trying to sell its defensive drone interceptors to Gulf countries under attack by Iran. The company’s co-founder, Brett Velicovich, says they are making sales pitches in the Middle East, showcasing their technology to help countries ward off Iranian attacks. The Trump brothers’ deal with Powerus could give them sizable equity stakes, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The company is also seeking to tap into the $1.1 billion set aside by the Pentagon to build up a U.S. manufacturing base for armed drones.
Our Reading
The announcement sounds familiar.
Powerus is pushing its drone interceptors to Gulf countries, positioning itself to benefit from a war that President Trump began. The company’s co-founder emphasizes the need for the U.S. to catch up with Chinese and Russian drone makers. The Trump brothers’ deal with Powerus could give them a significant stake in the company, raising questions about conflicts of interest. The company is also seeking to tap into a $1.1 billion Pentagon fund to build up a U.S. manufacturing base for armed drones.
Translation: The Trump brothers are selling drones to countries under attack, while their father is leading the U.S. military response.
Author: Evan Null
