January 1, Pentagon’s record year-end spending draws sharp criticism and calls for reform.

Wyatt’s Take

• Pentagon dumped $93 billion on grants and contracts in September 2025 alone.
• Bureaucrats grabbed furniture, crab feasts, and grand pianos to dodge budget cuts.
• Taxpayers foot the bill while warfighting takes a backseat.

The Defense Department hit a record $93 billion in spending last September. This topped anything since 2008, with over $50 billion burned in the final five days.

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst calls it binge-buying by bureaucrats. They fear losing unspent cash under use-it-or-lose-it rules.

Furniture led the spree at $225 million, highest since 2014. That included $12,000 on fruit basket stands and $60,000 on fancy Herman Miller chairs.

Trump’s team spent far less on such items than Obama or Biden years. Still, Biden officials dropped $3 billion on furniture from 2020 to 2022.

Food budgets ballooned too. They bought $2 million in Alaskan king crab, matching Trump-era peaks.

Lobster tails hit under $7 million that month. But donuts cost $130,000, salmon $1 million, and ribeye steak $15.1 million.

IT grabbed nearly $6 billion, including $3.5 billion for cable TV and support. They added $2.4 billion for laptops and software, plus millions from Apple and Samsung.

Musical gear totaled $1.8 million. Highlights were a $98,329 Steinway grand piano, $26,000 violin, and $21,750 Japanese flute.

Foreign buys reached $6.6 billion, smashing prior records. That covered training, cleaning, chips, and firetrucks, with some made abroad.

Trump pushed for a $1.5 trillion defense budget in 2027. He said it would build the Dream Military.

Operation Epic Fury’s first 100 hours could cost $3.7 billion. Much of it lacks full funding despite cheaper munitions pledges.

“Under Secretary Hegseth, the Pentagon has consistently said its mission is to refocus on warfighting and lethality,” OTB CEO John Hart said.

“Last year, we highlighted the problem of wasteful use-it-or-lose-it year-end spending. We noted that this reform is fully within the secretary’s control and is a historic opportunity to make good on that promise.”

“Unfortunately, the Pentagon’s traditional year-end spending spree in 2025 was the worst ever on record at a staggering $93.4 billion,” Hart said.

“This is unacceptable. American taxpayers expect their dollars to support critical defense priorities, not lavish dinners.”

“Moreover, careless spending emboldens our enemies and puts American lives at risk. We need to focus on replenishing interceptors, not appetizers. American taxpayers voted for change and expect better results.”

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst said the department must defend every dollar. She questioned a $1.5 trillion ask.

Folks, this gravy train ends when we demand real change. Hit up your congressman and insist on warfighting over waste.

Pentagon spending details

Wyatt Matters

Middle America works hard for every dollar, so DC must prioritize strong defense over desk chairs and dinners.