Baltimore project to be partly funded by US government but owned by defense firm Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey

Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the opening of a new $6.6bn shipbuilding factory in Baltimore, partly funded by the US government but owned by Anduril Industries, a politically connected defense company.

Trump’s appearance at a currently unused shipyard in Sparrows Point is a boost to Anduril, whose founder, Palmer Luckey, is a major GOP campaign fundraiser. Luckey has hosted campaign fundraisers for at least 20 Republican politicians, including Trump, the Guardian reported in August. He has given $5.9m to Republican causes since 2017.

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© Photograph: Al Drago/UPI/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Al Drago/UPI/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Al Drago/UPI/Shutterstock

President Trump traveled to Baltimore to announce a major investment that he said would create new jobs. Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, a Democrat, says he deserves credit, too.

© Kenny Holston/The New York Times

The deal is designed to demonstrate that President Trump is focused on one of his main campaign pledges: bringing back manufacturing jobs.

© Kristian Thacker for The New York Times