Pentagon’s ‘Buy American’ Drone Push Boosts Unusual Machines with Trump Jr. Ties, Raising Eyebrows in Washington

Pentagon’s ‘Buy American’ Drone Push Boosts Unusual Machines with Trump Jr. Ties, Raising Eyebrows in Washington

Unusual Machines’ stock soars after major U.S. Army deal, spotlighting the Pentagon’s domestic drone strategy—and the political shadows trailing it.

WASHINGTON – The market went wild on Friday. Shares of Unusual Machines, a small drone component maker from Florida, shot up more than 14% after the company landed its biggest-ever defense contract—a deal that dropped it squarely into the intersection of national security, industrial policy, and presidential politics.

This isn’t just another defense supplier story. Sitting on Unusual Machines’ advisory board is Donald Trump Jr., the President’s eldest son. His arrival last year didn’t just make headlines—it turned the company into a magnet for investors betting that “America First” policies would shape Pentagon spending for years to come.

That bet is paying off. Today, the firm announced it would deliver 3,500 drone motors and components to the U.S. Army’s elite 101st Airborne Division. The contract’s dollar value remains under wraps, but its message was loud and clear: Washington is serious about cutting its reliance on Chinese technology. Investors loved it, sending the stock soaring.

But success came with a side of controversy. Critics quickly questioned whether political proximity greased the wheels for the deal. In a town where family ties and federal contracts often blur, Unusual Machines has become a test case for how far the Pentagon’s “Buy American” push can go before it bumps into accusations of favoritism.

The bigger picture centers on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s aggressive campaign to rebuild the U.S. drone industry. Alarmed by China’s dominance in drone tech, Hegseth has been driving initiatives like the “Blue UAS” program, which certifies secure, domestically produced drones for military use. His message is clear: American troops should fly American-made drones.

That’s music to Unusual Machines’ ears. The company owns brands familiar to drone hobbyists—Fat Shark and Rotor Riot—but it has been pivoting hard toward defense contracts. When Trump Jr. joined its advisory board in November 2024, the company’s stock price spiked overnight, driven by the perception that it had an inside track to Washington’s defense dollars.

Friday’s surge didn’t come out of nowhere. Last month, the company announced a $12.8 million deal with Strategic Logix to supply more than 160,000 drone components for the U.S. military’s Rapid Reconfigurable Systems Line, or RRSL—a flexible drone platform under evaluation by defense units. Both that contract and the new Army order were described as direct awards, which means the deals skipped open bidding. It’s a faster route, but one that inevitably invites questions about transparency.

Together, these contracts paint a picture of a small firm punching above its weight in the defense world. Yet the Trump connection looms large. Critics accuse the company of exploiting political access. “Don Jr.’s drone venture reeks of conflict of interest—plain and simple,” one MSNBC op-ed argued, echoing social media outrage. Watchdog groups are already calling for ethics probes and congressional oversight as the administration funnels billions into drone programs.

Supporters see it differently. They say Unusual Machines is exactly the kind of nimble, homegrown company America needs. “This isn’t corruption—it’s smart industrial strategy,” said one defense analyst. “They’re turning policy into capability.” To them, Unusual Machines isn’t gaming the system; it’s helping fix a national vulnerability—the overdependence on Chinese parts in a sector vital to modern warfare.

For the company, the 101st Airborne deal is a milestone. A few years ago, it sold hobby drone gear. Now it’s supplying one of the Army’s most storied divisions. The order cements its place in the domestic supply chain and strengthens its reputation as a trusted provider of NDAA-compliant drone parts sought by major defense primes.

Still, its political baggage is hard to ignore. Trump Jr.’s involvement has fueled hype and driven the stock up more than 900% this year, but it also ensures every future contract will face microscopic scrutiny. In Washington, perception often carries as much weight as performance.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. As the U.S. scrambles to rebuild its industrial base and counter foreign adversaries, Unusual Machines has become a symbol of the country’s dilemma. The Pentagon needs small, innovative firms to scale up production quickly—but it also has to prove that success is earned, not handed down through political connections.

Eyes are now on how the company performs. The 3,500 motors bound for the 101st Airborne will test its ability to meet military standards. Its much larger $12.8 million order for Strategic Logix kicks off in late 2025. Whether Unusual Machines becomes a poster child for American industrial revival—or an example of political overreach—depends on how well it delivers under pressure.

For now, it’s flying high. The question is whether it can keep altitude once the political turbulence hits.