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2mo ago

Pentagon’s September Outlays Hit $93.4 Billion as Luxury Purchases Draw Scrutiny

A spending watchdog blames year‑end use‑it‑or‑lose‑it rules, urging Congress to revisit them.

An AI-generated image of Pete Hegseth with lobster, steak, an ice cream machine, and various luxuries.
051128-N-2383B-013 Washington, D.C. (Nov. 23, 2005) - An aerial view of the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense located between the Potomac River and Arlington National Cemetery. The Pentagon employs approximately 23,000 military and civilian personnel and is one the world's largest office buildings with three times the floor space of the Empire State Building in New York City. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera (RELEASED)
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Overview

  • Open The Books reports the Defense Department obligated $93.4 billion in September 2025, including $50.1 billion in the final five working days.
  • Itemized spending included $6.9 million for lobster tail, $2 million for Alaskan king crab, $15.1 million for ribeye steak, $225.6 million for furniture, $5.3 million for Apple devices, and a $98,329 Steinway piano.
  • The Pentagon’s purchases from foreign governments and foreign‑owned firms reached a record roughly $6.6 billion that month.
  • Members of Congress such as Representative Melanie Stansbury say they will investigate, and public figures including Senator Chuck Schumer and Governor Gavin Newsom have criticized the expenditures.
  • News outlets say the Pentagon has not provided public comment, as the administration presses for a larger future defense budget during the war with Iran.