In a move that has set off a flurry of ethical questions and public debate, a small Florida-based company called Unusual Machines recently landed a significant contract from the Pentagon to supply 3,500 drone motors and other drone parts. The deal, confirmed on October 28, 2025, is notable not just for its scale but for the high-profile connections of one of its key stakeholders: Donald Trump Jr., eldest son of President Donald Trump and a member of Unusual Machines’ advisory board, who also holds a substantial ownership stake in the company.
The story, as reported by The New York Times and corroborated by multiple outlets including Reuters and The New Republic, weaves together the rapidly evolving world of military technology, the business ambitions of the Trump family, and the persistent questions about conflicts of interest at the highest levels of government. At its core, the controversy centers on whether Trump Jr.’s financial ties to Unusual Machines present a conflict of interest, given his proximity to the administration and the lucrative nature of Pentagon contracts.
Unusual Machines, which only recently began manufacturing its own drone motors in the United States, is part of a broader proposal to provide miniaturized, unmanned aircraft carriers equipped with autonomous killer drones, anti-aircraft missiles, and torpedoes. The company’s role is to supply critical drone parts, working alongside Puerto Rico-based Red Cat, another defense industry startup. The ambition is high: these new fleets could fundamentally alter how the U.S. military operates at sea and in the air, with drones that are not only cheaper but also easier to deploy than traditional manned aircraft.
The company’s connection to the Trump family is not incidental. Late last year, Unusual Machines granted Donald Trump Jr. 200,000 shares of its stock in exchange for his advisory role, a stake now valued at around $2.6 million. The day his appointment was announced, Unusual Machines’ stock nearly doubled, resulting in millions of dollars in paper profits for Trump Jr., according to The New York Times. Trump Jr. has also invested his own money in the company, further tying his financial interests to its success.
Trump Jr.’s involvement goes beyond mere investment. He has been active in screening candidates for top Pentagon jobs following the 2024 election, and he is known as a vocal ally of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In a recent episode of his podcast, “Triggered With Don Jr.,” he candidly discussed his efforts to push for Pentagon leaders who would prioritize drones over traditional fighter jets, stating, “Everyone was, like, an old F-15 pilot, and that’s incredible. But they sort of want to go with what they know, which is, ‘We’re fighter pilots.’ But they are better served with a drone that costs a tiny fraction of that of a plane.”
Despite these connections, both Trump Jr. and Unusual Machines have denied any impropriety. A spokesperson for Trump Jr., Andy Surabian, insisted, “Don is a lifelong businessman and does not interface with the federal government as part of his role with Unusual Machines or any of the other companies he advises or invests in.” Similarly, Allan Evans, CEO of Unusual Machines, emphasized that Trump Jr. had not been asked to help with parts sales to the federal government, describing his role as focused on financial and business advice. “Most of Unusual Machines’ sales would be to other drone makers,” Evans told The New York Times.
The Pentagon, for its part, has maintained that its selection of Unusual Machines was based on the company’s ability to meet technical requirements. Maj. Jonathon Bless, a public affairs officer in the 101st Airborne Division, stated that he could not comment on why Unusual Machines was chosen, other than that its parts met the Army’s needs. The Army’s 101st Airborne Division announced its intention to purchase 3,500 drone engines from Unusual Machines, with the possibility of ordering another 20,000 parts next year. The initial order alone, though relatively modest at about $225,000, marks a significant step for a company that, until recently, imported most of its parts from China.
The rapid pace of Unusual Machines’ rise has not gone unnoticed. The company, which employs about 50 people in Orlando, only began assembling its own drone motors in the U.S. in recent weeks. Some of its drone parts were showcased at Mar-a-Lago in February 2025 during a demonstration for Trump Jr., though the event was cut short by security due to the president’s presence at the club. CEO Allan Evans recalled, “A lot of good feedback on the investor base,” referencing the attention and interest generated by Trump Jr.’s involvement.
Unusual Machines’ financial ties extend beyond the Trump family. The company is closely linked to Dominari Securities, an investment bank headquartered in Trump Tower, New York. Both Donald Trump Jr. and his brother Eric serve as paid advisers to Dominari, which played a key role in Unusual Machines’ initial public offering and subsequent fundraising. As of this spring, the Trump brothers held more than 3 million shares in Dominari, now worth over $17 million.
The ethical debate is not without precedent. Presidential families have often faced scrutiny over business dealings that intersect with government power. Megan Gorman, a tax lawyer and author on the subject, observed, “Don Jr. has pushed the envelope on how presidential children can behave. But there are no explicit rules of what they can do, although maybe there should be.” Historical examples abound, from the Bush family’s oil ventures to Hunter Biden’s consulting work, but serving as a paid adviser to a military contractor represents a new twist in the modern era.
Adding to the complexity, Unusual Machines and Red Cat are pitching ambitious plans for fleets of autonomous ocean vessels, some of which would be armed with explosives for kamikaze-style attacks. Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat, described one such vessel as “basically, pure kamikaze,” capable of carrying 800 pounds of C-4 to “take out a large ship.” While none of Red Cat’s marine vessels have yet been sold to the Pentagon, the companies are actively seeking military buyers.
All of this unfolds against a backdrop of heightened demand for drones in modern warfare, as demonstrated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Industry analysts project that spending on commercial drone systems in North America could reach $21 billion in the next five years, up from $11 billion last year. The Defense Department, under President Trump’s orders, is prioritizing drones made with domestic parts, citing concerns about national security risks posed by Chinese-made components.
For now, the questions swirling around Unusual Machines and Trump Jr. remain unanswered. While the company’s supporters tout its commitment to onshore manufacturing and innovation, critics argue that the appearance of impropriety alone is cause for concern. As the Pentagon’s drone program accelerates, the intersection of politics, business, and national security will likely remain a source of intense scrutiny and debate.
With the stakes so high, and the lines between public service and private gain increasingly blurred, Americans are left to wonder just how far the envelope can be pushed—and whether the rules will ever catch up.
