Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Pentagon Spends $93 Billion on Lobster, Ribeye, Recliners

A watchdog analysis published by Open the Books and cited across regional and U.S. outlets found that the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spent a record $93.4 billion in September 2025, making it the largest single-month total for any federal department or agency.

“US Defense Department went on multi-billion-dollar spending spree to maintain its funding: Report Defense secretary aims to get rid of non-essential costs after Pentagon spent more than $93 billion in September alone HOUSTON, United States The US Defense Department spent a record $93”

Anadolu Agency

The spending surge was highlighted as unprecedented by multiple reports and framed as an end-of-fiscal-year spike tied to standard federal budgeting rules.

Anadolu Agency

News outlets from CNN to Daily Jang and The Indian Express all reported the $93.4 billion figure and characterized the month as historically large for Pentagon grants and contracts.

The Open the Books breakdown highlighted a string of high-cost and food-related line items that drew immediate attention: millions on shellfish and steak, ice cream machines, and large quantities of doughnuts.

Reports itemized $6.9 million on lobster tail, $2 million on Alaskan king crab, more than $15 million on ribeye steaks, $124,000 on ice cream machines and $139,224 on orders of donuts — figures repeated across U.S. and international coverage.

CNN

These specific purchases became the focal point for critics who said the items looked frivolous in isolation.

The September tab also included large outlays for furniture, technology and musical instruments: reports show roughly $225 million on furniture (including expensive items like Herman Miller chairs and fruit-basket stands), $5.3 million on Apple devices and purchases such as a Steinway grand piano, a violin and a custom-made flute.

“A bombshell report from watchdog group Open the Books reveals the Pentagon led by Secretary Pete Hegseth burned through a staggering $93”

Daily Jang

Coverage noted both the high unit costs and that many of the goods were sourced from foreign vendors, contributing to a record for foreign purchases in the month.

Reporters and analysts stressed the timing: more than half of the $93.4 billion was booked in the final five working days of September, a pattern critics tied to “use-it-or-lose-it” federal budgeting rules that compel agencies to spend remaining funds before the fiscal year ends.

Coverage quoted watchdogs and budget experts explaining the rule, while defense analysts cautioned some of the food purchases were likely for troops on extended deployments ahead of active operations in the region — a point used by supporters to defend the expenditures.

FOX 11 Los Angeles

The spending surge prompted scrutiny and mixed reactions in the press: local outlets and national analysts described the optics as difficult for a Pentagon under a secretary who has pushed for larger defense budgets, while watchdogs and some commentators called for reforms to end year-end extravagance.

“Pete Hegseth's defense department hasn't been shy about its spending, according to a new report that claims the department blew through $93 billion in September 2025 alone — and Jimmy Kimmel is unimpressed”

Mashable

Coverage also emphasized the scale of foreign-sourced purchases and noted the context of broader White House budget debates, leaving calls for Pentagon comment and watchdog recommendations prominent in reporting.

Mashable