Drone Maker Tied to Donald Trump Jr. Secures U.S. Army Contract
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A little-known Florida-based drone components maker, Unusual Machines (UMAC:US), has landed its biggest deal yet, a U.S. Army contract for roughly 3,500 drone motors and related components, with another 20,000 parts expected to be ordered next year. The win would have been just another story in the growing American drone industry if not for one detail: Donald Trump Jr. sits on the company’s advisory board and holds a multi-million-dollar stake.
Trump Jr. joined Unusual Machines in November 2024 as an adviser, taking on a role meant to “support the company’s expansion into defense and commercial markets.” It is estimated that he owns about 331,000 shares, a position reportedly valued near four million dollars at recent prices. Company officials insist Trump Jr. had no involvement in negotiating or securing the Pentagon contract. But the optics, a president’s son profiting from a government deal awarded under his father’s administration, have raised immediate scrutiny.
The timing of the contract is notable. Earlier this year, the Trump administration signed an executive order to boost domestic drone production and accelerate military procurement from U.S.-based manufacturers. That policy shift directly benefited companies like Unusual Machines, which had recently expanded its assembly capabilities in Florida. The Army’s new order, covering thousands of drone motors and components, represents the clearest example yet of how those policy moves are reshaping defense spending priorities.
Investors have taken notice. Following the contract announcement, Unusual Machines’ stock jumped sharply, adding more than 20 percent in a single session before pulling back slightly. The reaction reflects both optimism over the company’s growth prospects and speculation about its newfound political visibility. For a microcap defense firm with limited production history, such exposure can be a double-edged sword, as it brings attention, but also the weight of heightened oversight.
Analysts watching the deal say the questions are less about legality and more about perception. Even if Trump Jr. had no direct involvement, his position within the company places Unusual Machines in a sensitive space where political connections and business gain appear to intersect. That perception risk could influence how future contracts are viewed, not only for Unusual Machines, but for other defense suppliers with similar ties.
There’s also a practical challenge ahead. The company is relatively small and has only recently ramped up its domestic production. Delivering tens of thousands of military-grade components on time will test its operational capacity. Any delays or quality issues could quickly erode investor confidence and attract congressional attention, especially with public interest now focused on how this deal was awarded.
