NEW YORK, March 10 — Donald Trump’s sons are backing a new business venture to produce autonomous drones, including military systems, raising further conflict-of-interest concerns as the US president oversees operations in Iran.
NEW YORK, March 10 — Donald Trump’s sons are backing a new business venture to produce autonomous drones, including military systems, raising further conflict-of-interest concerns as the US president oversees operations in Iran.
Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are “notable investors” in the merger of autonomous drone company Powerus with publicly traded Aureus Greenway Holdings Inc., which manages golf courses in Florida, according to an Aureus press release yesterday.
The merged company, to operate under the Powerus name, will develop autonomous drones for both “military and commercial use in high-risk environments.” The press release cited the Middle East conflict as evidence of the venture’s relevance.
“The need for autonomous technologies, such as those produced by Powerus, is front-page news given developments in the Middle East and elsewhere,” said Matthew Saker, interim CEO of AGH. “This business combination is not only a strong opportunity for AGH stockholders but also highly pertinent amid current geopolitical uncertainties.”
Under Donald Trump’s leadership, the United States and Israel launched military strikes in Iran in February, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Jordan Libowitz, vice president of the NGO Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW), described the Powerus investment as “eyebrow-raising in an administration already full of conflicts of interest.”
Libowitz added, “This comes at a time when the demand for drones is reportedly high due to a war partly initiated by the president, which could continue as long as he chooses. It raises concerns that the conflict may financially benefit his family.”
Donald Trump Jr. has previously invested in another drone startup, Unusual Machines, which was also listed in the Aureus press release as supporting the Powerus venture.
CREW has issued multiple reports highlighting potential conflicts of interest within the Trump administration, including connections between the family’s cryptocurrency ventures and White House promotion of digital currencies. — AFP
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