The son of President Donald Trump is putting money behind a massive business deal involving cutting-edge military technology. Eric Trump has joined a $1.5 billion transaction that would combine Israeli drone manufacturer XTEND with Florida construction company JFB Construction Holdings, according to an announcement made Tuesday.
The deal also includes investment from drone company Unusual Machines, which brought on Donald Trump Jr. as an advisor last November. JFB Construction Holdings revealed these details in their official statement this week.
This latest venture represents part of the Trump family’s growing portfolio of business activities following Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration. The family has already generated approximately $800 million through cryptocurrency ventures in just the first six months of 2025.
The timing coincides with surging demand for drone technology, particularly as these unmanned aircraft have become essential Pentagon purchases and crucial tools in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict. Traditional fighter jets face significant challenges in Ukrainian airspace due to sophisticated air defense networks positioned along battle zones.
Military drone success has sparked increased Silicon Valley funding for drone manufacturers and artificial intelligence defense companies, boosting valuations for American firms like Anduril Industries and Shield AI.
XTEND’s artificial intelligence-powered drone systems currently serve multiple government clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Singapore’s military, European nations, the United Kingdom, and Israel’s armed forces, according to July 2025 data.
Additional financial backing for the XTEND transaction comes from several investment groups: Israel’s Protego Ventures, Texas real estate developer American Ventures, and Miami-based Aliya Capital.
Company officials expect the stock-based merger to finalize by mid-2026. Following completion, the combined entity will operate under the name XTEND AI Robotics and trade on the Nasdaq exchange using the symbol “XTND.”
