Donald Trump Jr. Backs MAGA Startups

Donald Trump Jr.'s Venture Capital Activities

Following his father’s election victory, Donald Trump Jr. became involved with the venture capital firm 1789 Capital, actively working to capitalize on the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.

Investment Focus and Ideological Alignment

His investment strategy has encompassed sectors like media, pharmaceuticals, firearms, and cryptocurrency. Simultaneously, he has consistently opposed initiatives centered around Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), as detailed by the Financial Times.

Key Players Behind 1789 Capital

1789 Capital was co-established by Omeed Malik, a significant donor to the Trump campaign and a supporter of the Substack platform. The firm also benefits from the backing of Rebekah Mercer, a prominent financial supporter of the conservative news outlet Breitbart.

Early investors in 1789 included conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, radio host Clay Travis, and technology investor Marc Andreessen, according to reports from Bloomberg.

Proximity to Mar-a-Lago and Notable Investments

The 1789 Capital team operates from a location situated within a short distance of Mar-a-Lago, placing them firmly within the orbit of Donald Trump.

The firm has made several high-profile investments, including:

Leading a $15 million seed funding round for Tucker Carlson’s new media venture.
Investing over $50 million in Elon Musk’s companies, xAI and SpaceX.
Providing capital to a beverage company founded by the Nelk Boys, a group of right-wing YouTubers.
Backing Polymarket, a prediction market platform.

Anticipating Regulatory Changes

Bloomberg reports that 1789 Capital is actively seeking acquisition opportunities, anticipating potential relaxations of financial regulations under a second Trump presidency.

Fundraising Efforts

The firm has already secured $500 million in funding since Inauguration Day and aims to raise at least $1 billion for its inaugural fund by mid-year, with a particular focus on attracting investments from endowments and pension funds in states with Republican leadership.

Additional Board and Advisory Roles

Beyond his role at 1789 Capital, Trump Jr. holds board positions in three publicly traded companies, spanning the drone manufacturing, conservative marketplace, and fintech industries.

He also serves on the board of BlinkRX, a portfolio company of 1789 Capital specializing in drug delivery services. Furthermore, he provides advisory services to GrabAGun, a firearm retailer, with plans for a potential public offering this year, as stated by Malik.

Trump Jr. is also an advisor to Kalshi, another prediction market company, and, alongside his brother Eric, he is an investor in Dominari Holdings, a biotechnology firm.

Trustee of Trump Media & Technology Group

Donald Trump Jr. currently serves as the sole trustee of Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of the social media platform Truth Social.

Growing Ties Between Silicon Valley and Washington

Bloomberg noted the surprise surrounding Trump Jr.’s increased involvement in the startup and investment landscape following his father’s re-election. This development underscores the strengthening economic and social connections between influential figures in Silicon Valley and those in positions of power in Washington D.C.