(José Niño, Headline USA) Conservative commentator CJ Pearson has registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act to represent XTEND Reality, an Israeli company that develops autonomous drone technology. The agreement will pay him $20,000 each month, per a Politico report based on newly submitted federal disclosures.
The filings show that Pearson will promote the company before lawmakers, federal agencies, journalists, and other influential audiences. One document says his assignment “will include public relations, promotion, and perception-management activities on behalf of Xtend, including media outreach, preparation and dissemination of informational materials, coalition-building efforts, and participation in public forums and events.”
Pearson has accumulated more than half a million followers on X and previously served as a cochair of the Republican National Committee youth advisory council. He also launched Next250 PAC this summer as an organization focused on mobilizing young conservatives, Politico reported.
The contract connects Pearson to a defense company with several prominent political and financial relationships. XTEND combined with Florida based JFB Construction Holdings through a transaction valued at $1.5 billion, according to an SEC filing. The transaction received backing from Eric Trump, Unusual Machines, American Ventures, Protego Ventures, Aliya Capital, and Agostinelli Group.
Unusual Machines has a separate connection to the Trump family through Donald Trump Jr., who serves as an adviser to the American drone manufacturer. Billionaire Len Blavatnik has also invested in XTEND, according to Politico.
Pearson submitted the foreign agent registration through Pearson Unlimited, his own company. He said he was “looking forward to bringing a creator’s perspective” to XTEND’s public affairs operations.
“America can’t keep buying its drones from China,” Pearson told Politico Influence. “And thankfully, Xtend is doing something about that through its production of American-made drones and technologies that are equipping our warfighters with the tools they need to keep Americans safe. There is nothing more America First than supporting companies predicated on protecting this country.”
Politico noted that Pearson has previously performed disclosed advocacy for a foreign government. He registered in April to work for the Bahamas through DCI Group, a Republican connected lobbying firm, alongside political operative Roger Stone.
The publication placed Pearson’s latest contract within Israel’s broader effort to improve its image in the United States as American public support declines. Politico reported that the campaign has included outreach to young online personalities and initiatives intended to shape how artificial intelligence platforms characterize Israel.
FARA requires qualifying representatives of foreign principals to disclose their clients, compensation, and covered political activities. An XTEND spokesperson did not answer Politico Influence when the publication requested comment.
José Niño is the deputy editor of Headline USA. Follow him at x.com/JoseAlNino
