Trump sons back Ukrainian drone SPAC deal
Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are backing Ukrainian drone startup Powerus via a reverse merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings to pursue a Nasdaq listing, a social post reported March 15. The move spotlights continued appetite for defense‑tech listings and the regulatory scrutiny cross‑border reverse mergers may attract.
Aureus entered a Merger Agreement with Autonomous Power (Powerus) on March 8, 2026 filed), and its Form 8‑K states closing is conditioned on an effective Form S‑4, shareholder approvals, “any required regulatory approvals” and includes an outside termination date of December 31, 2026 disclosed). The company disclosed a $9.03 million private placement consisting of 3,009,667 shares and pre‑funded warrants priced at $3.00 per share to fund working capital and transaction expenses, with Dominari Securities serving as sole placement agent announced). A Seoul‑based Korea Climate & Governance Improvement Fund (KCGI) committed to purchase $50 million of Powerus common stock by April 6, 2026 as a strategic investor to support allied‑nation supply‑chain access stated). Powerus executives and industry reporting say the startup completed three acquisitions in the past six months and is targeting production capacity north of 10,000 drones per month, an ambition the company cites as central to bidding for Pentagon programs reported). The March 9 press release lists American Venture Partners and names Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. among notable investors, while separate coverage and filings show Dominari Securities (the deal’s placement agent) is linked to the brothers through prior stakes and advisory relationships listed). The combined company will operate as Powerus Corporation and is expected to trade under the ticker “PUSA” upon close, which the company and trade press peg for summer 2026, and Aureus shares spiked as much as about 55% on initial coverage of the transaction. expected)
