NEED TO KNOW
- Don Jr’s drone company wins Pentagon contract following dad’s executive order
- Officials insist the deal was based on merit, not bloodline
- Company previously lost $3.3 million blaming tariffs his father introduced
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pentagon announced Friday that Florida-based Unusual Machines, a drone manufacturer partially owned by Donald Trump Jr., had secured a $100 million contract to produce drone components for the U.S. Army after what officials described as a “completely impartial, televised spin of the procurement wheel.”
The contract marks the company’s largest yet and follows President Donald Trump’s executive order in June promoting domestic drone manufacturing. The order, hailed by Trump as “the best thing to ever happen to flying toys,” has since funneled millions toward companies led by personal allies and family members.
In a statement, the Department of Defense praised Unusual Machines’ “commitment to innovation and patriotic branding,” noting that its drones “come in red, white, and camo” and are “nearly 60 percent American-made.” When pressed, officials clarified the other 40 percent was “mostly stickers.”
A Family Affair
Financial records show Trump Jr. holds a $4 million stake in the company, which saw its stock surge 13 percent following the announcement. The company previously reported significant losses due to tariffs imposed by Trump Sr., a policy insiders now describe as “the rare instance of Trump owning himself.”
Allan Evans, Unusual Machines’ CEO, insisted the president’s son had “no involvement” in securing the contract. “Don Jr. just provides advice and patriotic grins,” Evans said. “He’s an inspiration to us all, especially to anyone trying to monetize their last name.”
Conflict-Free in Spirit
Critics have accused the administration of blurring ethical lines. Ethics watchdogs point out that the Pentagon’s procurement process is now managed by a new software called TrumpBid, which automatically recommends the “most loyal and well-groomed candidate.”
Chief Warrant Officer John Brown of the 101st Airborne Division told reporters, “Our soldiers deserve drones they can trust. And if those drones happen to be brought to you by the Trump family, well, that’s democracy in action.”
The Pentagon declined to comment on reports that future contracts will be awarded via a “Truth Social poll.”
It’s not Nepotism if it’s vertical integration
Maj. Carl Dempsey, Department of Defense
