Full Breakdown
Pentagon's $93 Billion Spending Spree Under Pete Hegseth Draws Criticism
3/12/2026, 5:54:09 AM
Overview of Pentagon Expenditures
In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, reportedly spent over $93 billion, a figure highlighted by the government watchdog group Open the Books. This spending spree included extravagant purchases such as $6.9 million on lobster tails, $15.1 million on ribeye steaks, and $140,000 on donuts, raising eyebrows among taxpayers and critics alike.
Late-Night Hosts Weigh In
Late-night television hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert have publicly criticized Hegseth's spending habits. Kimmel humorously questioned the rationale behind such expenditures, likening the Pentagon's budget to a reality show titled "My 600-Pound Defense Department." He remarked, “How are they eating so much food?” and noted the absurdity of spending $12,000 on fruit basket stands. Colbert echoed these sentiments, mocking the purchase of high-end items like $60,000 Herman Miller recliners and $5.3 million for new iPads, stating, “You’re ordering fruit baskets so fancy they come with a stand?”
Context of Spending Practices
The significant spending by the Pentagon is attributed to "use-it-or-lose-it" budget rules, which compel government agencies to exhaust their budgets by the end of the fiscal year to avoid cuts in future allocations. Open the Books reported that in the last five working days of September alone, the Pentagon spent $50.1 billion, a sum exceeding the annual defense budgets of many countries.
Official Statements on Accountability
John Hart, CEO of Open the Books, emphasized the need for reform in how the Pentagon manages its budget, stating, “Last year, we highlighted the problem of wasteful use-it-or-lose-it year-end spending.” Hegseth himself has acknowledged the necessity for greater transparency in Pentagon expenditures, asserting, “We need to know when we spend dollars, we need to know where they’re going and why.”
Criticism from Political Figures
The spending spree has not only drawn ire from comedians but also from political figures. Republican Senator Joni Ernst criticized the Pentagon's spending, stating, “If taxpayers are going to be asked to spend $1.5 trillion on defense... Washington must be able to defend how every dollar is being spent.” This sentiment reflects broader concerns regarding fiscal responsibility within U.S. government institutions.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the reported spending figures have been corroborated by multiple sources, including Snopes, there remains a lack of clarity on the long-term implications of such spending practices. Critics argue that without accountability, the Pentagon's budget may continue to reflect wasteful spending habits.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What is this, ‘My 600-Pound Defense Department?’” — Jimmy Kimmel, Host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- “You’re ordering fruit baskets so fancy they come with a stand?” — Stephen Colbert, Host of The Late Show
- “We need to know when we spend dollars, we need to know where they’re going and why that simple accounting and that has not existed at the Defense Department,” — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
- “If taxpayers are going to be asked to spend $1.5 trillion on defense—nearly as much as the rest of the world combined—Washington must be able to defend how every dollar is being spent,” — Senator Joni Ernst
The scrutiny of Hegseth's spending reflects ongoing debates about fiscal responsibility and accountability within the U.S. government, particularly as the nation navigates complex budgetary challenges.
