Hegseth appointed Pentagon advisers with investment links to Donald Trump Jr.'s venture fund
Reporting and findings
- reported
The Guardian reported that President Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. was a 1789 Capital partner and that Andreessen Horowitz co-invested with 1789 in three defense contractors—Anduril, Hadrian, and SpaceX—while Andreessen served on the Defense Policy Board.
- The Guardian: Pete Hegseth's Pentagon picks raise questions over Trump family business tiesCo-investments section identifying Anduril, Hadrian, and SpaceX
- reported
The Guardian reported that Defense Policy Board member Blake Masters sat on the boards of three ventures tied to 1789 Capital through Colombier acquisition companies led by 1789 co-founder Omeed Malik.
- The Guardian: Pete Hegseth's Pentagon picks raise questions over Trump family business tiesDefense Policy Board and co-investments sections describing Masters's three board roles
- documented
The Defense Department announced on June 29, 2026 that Trump's defense secretary Pete Hegseth approved Marc Andreessen and Blake Masters as members of the Defense Policy Board, which advises senior department leaders on strategy, force structure, modernization, and national-security policy.
- U.S. Department of Defense: Department Establishes New Defense Policy BoardJune 29 membership list and board remit
- The Guardian: Pete Hegseth's Pentagon picks raise questions over Trump family business tiesBoard appointments and advisory-body scope
- U.S. Department of Defense: HON Pete HegsethBiography identifying Hegseth as Trump's defense secretary
- reported
Project on Government Oversight general counsel Scott Amey said advisory committees often contain members seeking business from the agencies they serve and identified risks of privileged learning or contract advocacy benefiting an employer or client; the Defense Policy Board advises but does not directly set policy.
- The Guardian: Pete Hegseth's Pentagon picks raise questions over Trump family business tiesScott Amey assessment and explanation of the board's advisory role
Summary and current status
The Pentagon named Marc Andreessen and Blake Masters to the Defense Policy Board. The Guardian traced Andreessen Horowitz co-investments and Masters board roles to 1789 Capital, where Donald Trump Jr. is a partner.
Andreessen and Masters joined the Defense Policy Board on June 29, 2026
People and organizations
- Donald Trump Jr.1789 Capital partner
- Defense Policy BoardPentagon advisory body
- Marc Andreessenboard appointee and Andreessen Horowitz partner
- Blake Mastersboard appointee with reported 1789-linked board roles
- Pete Hegsethdefense secretary approving board appointments
- Donald J. Trumppresident whose defense secretary approved the board appointments
- Andreessen Horowitzventure firm with reported defense co-investments
- 1789 Capitalventure fund where Donald Trump Jr. is a partner
Relationships in this file
- Andreessen Horowitzreported co-investors in Anduril, Hadrian, and SpaceX1789 Capital
- Donald Trump Jr.partner at 1789 Capital1789 Capital
- Pete HegsethDefense Policy Board appointer and appointeeMarc Andreessen
- Pete HegsethDefense Policy Board appointer and appointeeBlake Masters
- Pete Hegsethdefense secretary who appointed the board's 2026 membershipDefense Policy Board
- Blake Mastersdirector of three ventures tied to 1789 Capital's co-founder1789 Capital
- Donald J. Trumpfather and son; son was a 1789 Capital partnerDonald Trump Jr.
- Donald J. Trumppresident and defense secretary who approved the 2026 board membershipPete Hegseth