Trump's Son Reveals 1789 Capital's Investments, Including Autonomous Weapons and AI Companies

Strategic Insights -

Donald Trump Jr.'s investment firm, 1789 Capital, has a "patriotic capitalism" investment thesis focused on rebuilding the American supply chain, expanding the U.S. economy, and helping it compete in new markets like artificial intelligence. The firm, which he co-founded with Omeed Malik, has made significant investments in companies like Anduril Industries, Hadrian, SpaceX, xAI, and Neuralink. These companies, including autonomous weapons and systems maker Anduril Industries and military machine parts company Hadrian, have secured Pentagon contracts this year. Ethics experts have raised concerns about the president's son being involved with companies receiving such contracts, calling it a new and alarming conflict of interest. The firm has also invested in a rare-earths mining company to help the United States compete in the market dominated by China.

Key Takeaways:

  • Donald Trump Jr.'s investment firm, 1789 Capital, has a focus on "patriotic capitalism" with an investment thesis aimed at rebuilding the American supply chain, expanding the U.S. economy, and helping it compete in new markets like artificial intelligence.
  • The firm has made significant investments in companies like SpaceX, Anduril Industries, Hadrian, xAI, and Neuralink, which have secured Pentagon contracts this year.
  • Ethics experts have raised concerns about the president's son being involved with companies receiving such contracts, calling it a new and alarming conflict of interest.
  • 1789 Capital has also invested in a rare-earths mining company to help the United States compete in the market dominated by China.
  • Donald Trump Jr. and Omeed Malik co-founded the firm, which was officially founded in 2023, according to Reuters.
  • The firm has close to $900 million in assets under management, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • Donald Trump Jr. attended the Future Investment Initiative with his business partner, Omeed Malik, and had dinner with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

Statistics:

  • 1789 Capital has close to $900 million in assets under management, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • The firm has estimated assets of $1.25 billion by data firm PitchBook.
  • The firm now manages roughly $2 billion, according to a person familiar with the firm's inner workings.
  • 1789 Capital has invested in companies like Anduril Industries, Hadrian, SpaceX, xAI, and Neuralink, which have secured Pentagon contracts this year.

Sources:

  • Donald Trump Jr. statement at the Future Investment Initiative
  • Reuters
  • The New York Times
  • Interview with a person familiar with the firm's inner workings, who requested anonymity to discuss private matters.