Pentagon spent $93.4 billion in September 2025: Pete Hegseth faces backlash; calls spending ‘utterly unacceptable’
A newly launched evaluation of Division of Protection spending confirmed that the Pentagon spent $93.4 billion in September 2025 as officers moved to exhaust their price range earlier than the fiscal 12 months deadline, drawing criticism over luxurious purchases because the US entered a pricey battle with Iran.Based on a report by authorities watchdog Open The Books, the Division of Protection used the ultimate month of the 2025 fiscal 12 months to spend its remaining price range to keep away from future funding cuts, a observe generally known as “use-it-or-lose-it”. Open The Books known as the spending “utterly unacceptable,” and stated the $93 billion complete was the best September spending since not less than 2008, Fox Los Angeles reported.The report stated that, past $6.9 million, or about Rs 6.9 crore, spent on lobster, the Pentagon additionally spent $15.1 million, or about Rs 15.1 crore, on ribeye steaks, $2 million, or about Rs 2 crore, on Alaskan king crab, almost $140,000 on doughnuts, greater than $124,000 on ice cream machines, $98,329 on a Steinway and Sons grand piano for an Air Power residence, $225 million, or about Rs 225 crore, on furnishings together with particular person chairs costing almost $1,900, $12,540 on fruit basket stands, and $5.3 million, or about Rs 5.3 crore, on Apple gadgets.The findings drew criticism from throughout the political spectrum. California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth by posting an AI-generated picture of him amongst steaks and lobster with the caption: “HEGSETH BLOWING $93 BILLION OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN 1 MONTH !!”“Reviews are displaying that Sec. Pete Hegseth blew $93 billion in federal DOD funding on the finish of final 12 months,” acknowledged Consultant Melanie Stansbury on social media, including, “You higher consider we’ll be investigating.”In the meantime, Congressman Chuck Schumer labelled Hegseth a “grifter,” saying the $93 billion might have funded ACA tax credit for 3 years.In his defence, Hegseth had stated in February 2025 that he welcomed a DOGE evaluation. He instructed Fox Information, “We have to know once we spend {dollars}, we have to know the place they’re going.” He additionally stated, “We have to know once we spend {dollars}, we have to know the place they are going.”The timeline within the report stated the Pentagon spent greater than $7.4 million a month on lobster tails from March to June 2025. The spending spree peaked in September 2025 with $93.4 billion in contracts and grants. On September 30, 2025, the fiscal 12 months ended and the Pentagon exhausted remaining funds to keep away from forfeiture. In October 2025, the US-Israel warfare with Iran started. In March 2026, watchdogs made full particulars of the luxurious spending public, reported Fox Angeles.Congress was anticipated to carry hearings on the Pentagon’s year-end spending habits. Because the warfare in Iran continued, already costing an estimated $5.6 billion, or about Rs 5.6 crore, in munitions in its first two days, lawmakers had been anticipated to make use of the spending reviews to push for stricter oversight and doable reforms to federal “use-it-or-lose-it” funding guidelines.