Story perspectives

Trump Administration Seeks $1.5 T Defense Budget, AI Fund Sparks Criticism

5/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Trump administration requests a $1.5 trillion defense budget, the largest, split between appropriations and reconciliation.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials testified on May 14, 2026, presenting $23 billion for capabilities and $46 billion for a sovereign AI fund.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) criticized the plan for lacking threat justification.
Senator Angus King called the reconciliation portion a slush fund to finance the Golden Dome shield, initially $17 billion and projected over $1.2 trillion.

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Story summary

The Trump administration requests a $1.5 trillion defense budget, the largest, split between appropriations and reconciliation.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials testified on May 14, 2026, presenting $23 billion for capabilities and $46 billion for a sovereign AI fund.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) criticized the plan for lacking threat justification.
Senator Angus King called the reconciliation portion a slush fund to finance the Golden Dome shield, initially $17 billion and projected over $1.2 trillion.