XpresTest won nearly $40 million in Ebola screening awards months after a fund tied to Trump's sons invested in its parent; the sons say they had no role
ProPublica reports that XpresTest won $38.8 million in CDC and State Department Ebola awards after a Dominari fund tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in its parent, XWELL. The sons' spokesperson says they had no role.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
XWELL began in 2006 as XpresSpa, a chain of airport spas, and during the COVID-19 pandemic received $5.5 million from the CDC to test travelers. On February 24, 2026 it agreed to a private placement worth about $31.3 million; ProPublica identifies the buyer as American Ventures and reports that the company had been close to bankruptcy. On July 6, 2026, the day the CDC contract was signed, XWELL agreed to sell its spa and XpresTest businesses to Express Wellness Group for a base price of $13 million, and its stockholders approved the sale on October 28. Ernst told ProPublica the government contracts played a role in the sale price and that XpresTest had not worked with Ebola or abroad before. XWELL did not announce either award; Ernst said none of the contracts are guaranteed. ProPublica reports that the State Department award was part of a program under the America First Global Health Strategy, after the U.S. left the World Health Organization and dismantled USAID, and that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 5,000 people this year.
People in this case
Donald Trump Jr.Directly involved
Eric TrumpDirectly involved
Jeremy KonyndykCommented
Timeline
5 timeline entries on this page. Dates: February 24, 2026 to November 9, 2026
February 2026
XWELL agrees to a $31.3 million private placement, which ProPublica identifies as American Ventures' investment
XWELL agrees to sell Series H convertible preferred stock and warrants to an accredited investor for gross proceeds of about $31.3 million. ProPublica identifies the investor as American Ventures, a fund launched by Dominari Holdings, and reports that the deal gave it a stake of roughly 10% to start.
[01]XWELL, Inc.
XWELL reports that on February 24, 2026 it agreed to sell 31,333 shares of Series H convertible preferred stock and warrants to an accredited investor in a private placement, for gross proceeds of about $31.3 million. The filing identifies the buyer only as an accredited investor.
XWELL, Inc. Form 8-K: private placement of Series H convertible preferred stock and warrants · XWELL, Inc.Item 1.01[02]ProPublica
ProPublica reports that XpresTest, a subsidiary of XWELL, received an $18.8 million CDC contract for Ebola entry screening at U.S. airports and a $20 million State Department award for outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, months after American Ventures, a fund launched by Dominari Holdings, invested about $30 million in XWELL. It includes responses from the State Department, a spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Dominari's chief executive and XWELL's chief executive.
July 2026
CDC awards XpresTest an $18.8 million contract for Ebola entry screening
The CDC signs an $18.8 million firm fixed-price contract with XpresTest for Ebola entry screening services, running to July 5, 2027. The federal award record lists the contract as not competed, with one offer received, under the urgency exception in FAR 6.302-2.
[03]Federal award record for CDC contract 75D30126C21193 to XpresTest Inc. (Ebola entry screening services)
The federal award record lists an $18,815,410.68 firm fixed-price CDC contract to XpresTest Inc., parent XWELL Inc., for Ebola entry screening services, signed July 6, 2026 and running to July 5, 2027. It lists the extent of competition as not competed, one offer received, and the authority as urgency under FAR 6.302-2.
Federal award record for CDC contract 75D30126C21193 to XpresTest Inc. (Ebola entry screening services)Award summary and competition details[02]ProPublica
ProPublica reports that XpresTest, a subsidiary of XWELL, received an $18.8 million CDC contract for Ebola entry screening at U.S. airports and a $20 million State Department award for outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, months after American Ventures, a fund launched by Dominari Holdings, invested about $30 million in XWELL. It includes responses from the State Department, a spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Dominari's chief executive and XWELL's chief executive.
XWELL agrees to sell XpresSpa and XpresTest for $13 million
XWELL agrees to sell its airport spa business and XpresTest to Express Wellness Group for a base price of $13 million. Ernst later tells ProPublica that the government contracts played a role in the price and will follow XpresTest to the buyer.
[04]XWELL, Inc.
XWELL reports that on July 6, 2026 it agreed to sell its airport spa business, XpresSpa Holdings, and its biosurveillance business, XpresTest, to Express Wellness Group for a base price of $13 million, subject to adjustments.
[02]ProPublica
ProPublica reports that XpresTest, a subsidiary of XWELL, received an $18.8 million CDC contract for Ebola entry screening at U.S. airports and a $20 million State Department award for outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, months after American Ventures, a fund launched by Dominari Holdings, invested about $30 million in XWELL. It includes responses from the State Department, a spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Dominari's chief executive and XWELL's chief executive.
October 2026
XWELL stockholders approve the sale of XpresSpa and XpresTest
At a special meeting, XWELL stockholders approve the sale of XpresSpa Holdings and XpresTest, 5,423,862 shares to 100,417.
[05]XWELL, Inc.
XWELL reports that its stockholders approved the sale of XpresSpa Holdings and XpresTest at a special meeting on October 28, 2026, with 5,423,862 shares for and 100,417 against.
XWELL, Inc. Form 8-K: results of the October 28, 2026 special meeting of stockholders · XWELL, Inc.Item 5.07
November 2026
ProPublica reports XpresTest's Ebola awards and the Trump sons' ties to its parent company
Source release
ProPublica reports that XpresTest received nearly $40 million in CDC and State Department awards months after American Ventures invested in XWELL. A spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump says they are passive minority investors and had no involvement in the contracts, and the State Department says its award was competitive.
[02]ProPublica
ProPublica reports that XpresTest, a subsidiary of XWELL, received an $18.8 million CDC contract for Ebola entry screening at U.S. airports and a $20 million State Department award for outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, months after American Ventures, a fund launched by Dominari Holdings, invested about $30 million in XWELL. It includes responses from the State Department, a spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Dominari's chief executive and XWELL's chief executive.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
XWELL, Inc.
XpresTest won its CDC Ebola entry screening contract and its State Department outbreak response award through competitive bidding.
What is disputed
The federal award record for the CDC contract lists the extent of competition as not competed, with one offer received, under the urgency authority in FAR 6.302-2. The State Department told ProPublica that its own award was made through a competitive process.
Sources (2)
- Federal award record for CDC contract 75D30126C21193 to XpresTest Inc. (Ebola entry screening services)Award summary and competition details
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
5 responses. Newest first.
Donald Trump Jr.Spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, in a statement to ProPublicaDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The spokesperson tells ProPublica that the sons are merely passive, minority investors in a fund that invested in the company, and that they had no involvement in or knowledge of the negotiation or procurement of any of its contracts, including government contracts.
"Both are private citizens who hold no government positions, broken no laws and who have every right to pursue lawful business and investment opportunities"
Defended or excusedResponding to: XpresTest won its CDC Ebola entry screening contract and its State Department outbreak response award through competitive bidding.
Full statement and sources
A spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump tells ProPublica that both are private citizens who hold no government positions, have broken no laws and have every right to pursue lawful business and investment opportunities.
After the statement
ProPublica reports that the sons' connection to XWELL was established in February, when American Ventures, a fund launched by Dominari Holdings, invested in the company.
Why this label?
The reference point is the award of nearly $40 million in federal Ebola screening and outbreak response funding to XpresTest months after a fund tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in its parent company, XWELL. The spokesperson says the sons are passive investors with no part in the contracts and calls their investing lawful, which defends their stake in the company that won the awards.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
U.S. Department of StateU.S. Department of State, in a response to ProPublicaBefore this statement
In response to questions from ProPublica about XpresTest and its parent company, XWELL, the State Department noted the firm's previous work screening for diseases at airports under a contract with the CDC and said its own award was made
"through a competitive process that builds on this successful model"
Defended or excusedResponding to: XpresTest won its CDC Ebola entry screening contract and its State Department outbreak response award through competitive bidding.
Full statement and sources
Answering ProPublica's questions, the State Department points to XpresTest's earlier airport disease screening under a CDC contract and says its own award was made through a competitive process that builds on that model.
After the statement
ProPublica reports that the CDC did not respond to a request for comment.
Why this label?
The reference point is the award of nearly $40 million in federal Ebola screening and outbreak response funding to XpresTest months after a fund tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in its parent company, XWELL. The department says its award followed a competitive process and built on the firm's record, which defends the award.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Dominari HoldingsChief executive Anthony Hayes, in comments to ProPublicaDirectly involved Before this statement
ProPublica reports that American Ventures was launched by Dominari Holdings, a financial firm with offices in Trump Tower, and that Dominari's leaders hired the Trump sons as advisers and granted them a stake of more than 10% in the company.
"We have never seen or even heard of Don or Eric using their family name to influence the granting of a government contract."
DeniedResponding to: XpresTest won its CDC Ebola entry screening contract and its State Department outbreak response award through competitive bidding.
Full statement and sources
Dominari Holdings chief executive Anthony Hayes tells ProPublica that the company has never seen or heard of Donald Trump Jr. or Eric Trump using their family name to influence the granting of a government contract.
After the statement
ProPublica reports that American Ventures has also taken stakes in other companies that benefited from administration actions, including the drone maker Powerus, which received an Air Force contract worth up to $90 million.
Why this label?
The reference point is the award of nearly $40 million in federal Ebola screening and outbreak response funding to XpresTest months after a fund tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in its parent company, XWELL. Hayes rejects the suggestion that the sons used their name to influence government contracts, which denies that part of the matter under scrutiny.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
XWELL, Inc.Chief executive Ezra Ernst, in an interview with ProPublicaDirectly involved Before this statement
ProPublica reports that Ernst said XpresTest won both contracts in a competitive bidding process and pointed to its years of screening for COVID-19 and other pathogens at U.S. airports, while acknowledging that working internationally is a new thing for the company and expressing uncertainty about completing the work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"This is a risky contract. I'm not sure we can do it"
Mixed or conditionalResponding to: XpresTest won its CDC Ebola entry screening contract and its State Department outbreak response award through competitive bidding.
Full statement and sources
XWELL chief executive Ezra Ernst tells ProPublica that XpresTest won both awards in competitive bidding and has years of airport screening experience, but says working abroad is new for the company and that he is not sure it can carry out the work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After the statement
ProPublica then quotes Jeremy Konyndyk, who helped oversee the U.S. response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, on the choice of a company with no experience in Africa.
Why this label?
The reference point is the award of nearly $40 million in federal Ebola screening and outbreak response funding to XpresTest months after a fund tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in its parent company, XWELL. Ernst defends the awards as won in competitive bidding and backed by the firm's screening record, but says the Congo contract is risky and he is not sure the company can do it, so his position is mixed.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Jeremy KonyndykFormer director of USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, in comments to ProPublicaBefore this statement
Konyndyk tells ProPublica that there are some parallels between monitoring for COVID-19 and Ebola at airports, but that it is concerning that the government would award such a lucrative contract to a company with no experience in Africa, and that there are countless organizations in the world with decades of experience doing this work.
"I have to wonder why the hell they're not going with someone who has actually done this before."
CondemnedResponding to: XpresTest won its CDC Ebola entry screening contract and its State Department outbreak response award through competitive bidding.
Full statement and sources
Jeremy Konyndyk, who helped oversee the U.S. response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, tells ProPublica that countless organizations have decades of experience in this work and asks why the government did not choose one of them.
After the statement
ProPublica reports that past administrations addressed international disease outbreaks with the World Health Organization, which Trump withdrew from last year, and through USAID, which his administration dismantled.
Why this label?
The reference point is the award of nearly $40 million in federal Ebola screening and outbreak response funding to XpresTest months after a fund tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in its parent company, XWELL. Konyndyk calls it concerning that the government gave such a contract to a company with no experience in Africa and questions why experienced groups were passed over, which condemns the awards.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Reporting
ProPublica report on XpresTest's nearly $40 million in federal Ebola screening awards and its parent company's ties to Trump's sons
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
ProPublica reports that XpresTest, a subsidiary of XWELL, received an $18.8 million CDC contract for Ebola entry screening at U.S. airports and a $20 million State Department award for outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, months after American Ventures, a fund launched by Dominari Holdings, invested about $30 million in XWELL. It includes responses from the State Department, a spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Dominari's chief executive and XWELL's chief executive.
- Author
- Sharon Lerner, Anna Maria Barry-Jester and Robert Faturechi
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
XWELL, Inc. Form 8-K: results of the October 28, 2026 special meeting of stockholders
Relevant passage: Item 5.07
About this source
XWELL reports that its stockholders approved the sale of XpresSpa Holdings and XpresTest at a special meeting on October 28, 2026, with 5,423,862 shares for and 100,417 against.
- Author
- XWELL, Inc.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
XWELL, Inc. Form 8-K: agreement to sell XpresSpa Holdings and XpresTest to Express Wellness Group
Relevant passage: Item 1.01
About this source
XWELL reports that on July 6, 2026 it agreed to sell its airport spa business, XpresSpa Holdings, and its biosurveillance business, XpresTest, to Express Wellness Group for a base price of $13 million, subject to adjustments.
- Author
- XWELL, Inc.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
XWELL, Inc. Form 8-K: private placement of Series H convertible preferred stock and warrants
Relevant passage: Item 1.01
About this source
XWELL reports that on February 24, 2026 it agreed to sell 31,333 shares of Series H convertible preferred stock and warrants to an accredited investor in a private placement, for gross proceeds of about $31.3 million. The filing identifies the buyer only as an accredited investor.
- Author
- XWELL, Inc.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Federal award record for CDC contract 75D30126C21193 to XpresTest Inc. (Ebola entry screening services)
Relevant passage: Award summary and competition details
About this source
The federal award record lists an $18,815,410.68 firm fixed-price CDC contract to XpresTest Inc., parent XWELL Inc., for Ebola entry screening services, signed July 6, 2026 and running to July 5, 2027. It lists the extent of competition as not competed, one offer received, and the authority as urgency under FAR 6.302-2.
- Author
- USAspending.gov, U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Accessed
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- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- XpresTest won nearly $40 million in Ebola screening awards months after a fund tied to Trump's sons invested in its parent; the sons say they had no role
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/xprestest-ebola-awards-xwell-trump-sons-american-ventures
The Dispute Index. "XpresTest won nearly $40 million in Ebola screening awards months after a fund tied to Trump's sons invested in its parent; the sons say they had no role". First published: 2026-11-10. Last updated: 2026-11-10. https://disputeindex.com/cases/xprestest-ebola-awards-xwell-trump-sons-american-ventures