Unusual Machines announced a significant contract with the U.S. Army to supply 3,500 drone motors, with a projected order of 20,000 additional components in 2026. The CEO described it as the company’s largest government order to date, though the contract’s financial details remain undisclosed. Notably, Donald Trump Jr. joined the company’s advisory board shortly after his father became president and has participated in fundraising efforts. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially considering the administration’s moves to boost American-made drone procurement.
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Newly unsealed testimony from a SpaceX insider reveals that the company has accepted direct investments from Chinese investors, marking the first disclosure of such investments in the U.S. military contractor. This revelation raises significant national security concerns, as the U.S. government views Chinese investment in sensitive industries as a potential espionage risk. While the scope and identities of these Chinese investors remain undisclosed, experts suggest that if Chinese investors gained access to nonpublic information, it could pose substantial national security consequences. This information came to light through court records related to a legal dispute between SpaceX investors, which ProPublica successfully moved to make public.
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Rumors of President Trump’s demise circulated on social media due to a quiet schedule. Trump quickly dispelled these rumors by posting a photo of himself playing golf and a Truth Social post detailing a complaint about a White House contractor. In the post, Trump described a damaged stone surface in the Rose Garden, blaming a subcontractor and threatening to seek charges. The president expressed his intent to replace the stone, charge the contractor, and bar them from future work at the White House, re-establishing his history of dealing with contractors.
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Accounts and videos obtained by the Associated Press reveal American contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza have used live ammunition and stun grenades as Palestinians sought food. According to two contractors, the security personnel were often unqualified, unvetted, and heavily armed, with little oversight. The contractors described frequent use of force, including live rounds and pepper spray, directed at the Palestinians. These practices have led to multiple injuries and potentially at least one instance where someone was thought to have been hit.
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According to accounts from American contractors and corroborated by videos obtained by the AP, U.S. contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza have been using live ammunition and stun grenades against Palestinians seeking food. These contractors described the security staff as often unqualified, heavily armed, and seemingly operating with minimal oversight. The contractors reported firing live rounds, stun grenades, and pepper spray toward the crowds, leading to injuries and raising concerns about the safety of aid seekers. The AP also found that American analysts and Israeli soldiers collaborate, viewing the footage in real-time from a control room, with some cameras equipped with facial recognition software.
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Halted US arms sales to Ukraine have left defense contractors in a holding pattern, according to Roman Kostenko, head of the Rada’s Defense Committee. The reason for the suspension remains unclear. Kostenko expressed concern over the delay, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding future weapon deliveries, even on a commercial basis. The situation leaves Ukraine awaiting a decision regarding the resumption of arms supplies.
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John Q. Hosedrinker