Pentagon Spending Surge Raises Questions After Billions Spent on Food, Furniture, and Equipment
The U.S. Department of Defense spent a massive $93 billion in September 2025 alone, according to a new analysis from the government watchdog group Open the Books.
The spending surge came during the final month of the federal fiscal year, a period when agencies often rush to use the remainder of their budgets before the deadline. If agencies fail to spend their allocated funds, the money typically cannot be carried over to the following year.
However, the report found that some of the Pentagon’s purchases during that period included items critics say appear unrelated to core military priorities.
The spending took place under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during the administration of Donald Trump.
According to the analysis, several large purchases were made in September, including:
- A $98,329 Steinway grand piano for the residence of the Air Force chief of staff
- $5.3 million worth of Apple devices, including iPads
- $2 million spent on Alaskan king crab
- $6.9 million spent on lobster tail
Food purchases also included $15.1 million for ribeye steak, along with $124,000 for ice cream machines and more than $139,000 spent on doughnuts.
The Pentagon also spent $225 million on furniture, including $12,000 fruit basket stands and more than $60,000 worth of Herman Miller reclining chairs, according to the report.
In the final five days of September alone, the Defense Department reportedly signed $50.1 billion in grants and contracts, an amount larger than the entire annual defense budgets of many countries.
Critics say the spending highlights long-standing concerns about the government’s “use-it-or-lose-it” budgeting system, which can encourage agencies to spend remaining funds quickly before the fiscal year ends.
The United States government recorded a $1.8 trillion federal deficit in 2025, raising additional scrutiny over federal spending priorities.
John Hart, CEO of Open the Books, said the Pentagon has repeatedly promised to focus on military readiness and efficiency.
“Last year we highlighted the problem of wasteful year-end spending,” Hart said. “This is an opportunity for leadership to reform that process and ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.”
The Defense Department has not publicly commented on the report’s findings.
