After defense officials and representatives from the Donald Trump Jr.-linked company denied receiving favors from the White House to secure a $620 million deal with the Pentagon, reports have recently emerged suggesting otherwise. Sources close to the White House and other government records have indicated that not only did officials attempt to expedite the loan, but a top aide to the President actually initiated the deal.
Donald Trump Jr.-linked company landed $620M deal with White House’s help, claims report
A recently published report has reinvigorated the conversation around the White House providing an unfair advantage to a company linked to the President’s eldest son in a lucrative Pentagon deal.
Last year, North Carolina startup Vulcan Elements, backed by Donald Trump Jr., managed to finalize a $620 million deal with the Pentagon. In response to the cronyism reaction that followed, Trump Jr., through his spokesperson, and the Pentagon, unanimously denied any wrongdoing on his part.
However, Defense Department records obtained by ProPublica state that Peter Navarro, a White House advisor to Donald Trump, was the one to submit the loan request. A Pentagon official also noted that this was the only proposal backed by such an influential associate of the President.
Moreover, another person involved in the deal revealed that defense officials specifically asked the Pentagon staff to complete the due process at a faster rate. “The call came from the White House: We have to get this done,” they noted.
Vulcan, a rare-earth magnet company, received the loan on the pretext of reducing dependence on China’s critical mineral supply chains. This directly helped Donald Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm, which owns an undisclosed stake in the North Carolina company.
In response to the allegations, a White House spokesperson noted, “The President’s entire team, including Senior Counselor Navarro and officials at the Department of War, is working together and with private industry to secure America’s critical mineral supply chain at Trump Speed.”
Meanwhile, a Pentagon official exclaimed, “No company receives preferential treatment. Outside affiliations, investors, or political connections play absolutely no role in the Department’s funding decisions.”
Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on Mandatory.
