ABC News has quietly removed an October 7, 2026 article alleging Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in defense firms like Anduril Industries that won billions in Pentagon contracts. The network provided no public explanation, though a source indicated the piece was published prematurely. Representatives for Anduril and the Trump-linked firm 1789 Capital strongly disputed the article's accuracy, stating the report conflated total funding rounds with their actual minor stake.
Removal of the ABC News article
- ▪A source familiar with the matter told Forbes that the ABC News article was published prematurely and was removed while reporting is being finalized.
- ▪Within 24 hours, ABC News removed its October 7, 2026 article, titled 'Trump sons' investments have won billions in Pentagon contracts since his election', alleging Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in those companies.
- ▪ABC News deleted a promotional post on X for the article, which had been shared by prominent Democrats including California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Dispute over 1789 Capital's stake in Anduril
- ▪Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for 1789 Capital, stated that the firm does not hold a major stake in Anduril Industries and accused the ABC News reporter of conflating total funding raised with 1789's specific investment.
- ▪Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey stated that 1789 Capital holds only a $50 million stake in Anduril Industries, representing approximately 0.1 percent of the company.
- ▪The deleted ABC News article asserted that 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm listing Donald Trump Jr. as a partner, claimed a major stake in Anduril Industries from a June 2025 investment.
Dispute over Anduril's government contracts
- ▪Palmer Luckey stated that the ABC News allegation of $6.6 billion in contracts is a lie, explaining that those figures represent hypothetical contract ceilings rather than actual payments.
- ▪The deleted ABC News article reported that Anduril Industries had received approximately $1.8 billion from 135 government contracts awarded since the June 2025 investment.
Objections from 1789 Capital
- ▪Alexa Henning stated that ABC News never requested comment from 1789 Capital prior to the initial publication of the article.
- ▪Alexa Henning sent an email to ABC News pointing out reporting errors and warning that lawyers would be in touch if ABC News did not take action.
Responses from the Trump family
- ▪A spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump stated that their investment decisions are based solely on independent business judgment and personal convictions without seeking to influence government procurement.
- ▪Donald Trump Jr. mocked California Governor Gavin Newsom on X, stating that ABC News deleted the article within 24 hours because the reporting was false.
Debatable claims
- ▪ABC News's unexplained deletion of the Trump sons article violates journalistic standards
- ▪The Trump sons' investments in defense contractors create a conflict of interest
- ▪ABC News should publicly apologize for publishing the inaccurate Trump sons article
- ▪Media scrutiny of the Trump family's business dealings is driven by political bias
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