Pentagon spending $93.4 billion in September 2025: Pete Hegseth faces backlash; calls spending ‘completely unacceptable’

The Pentagon spent $93.4 billion in September 2025, a newly released analysis of Defense Department spending showed, as officials began to run out of budget ahead of a fiscal year deadline, sparking criticism of luxury purchases as the United States descends into a costly conflict with Iran.The Defense Department is using the last month of fiscal year 2025 to spend the rest of its budget to avoid future funding cuts, a practice known as “use it or lose it,” according to a report by government watchdog Open The Books. Open The Books called the spending “completely unacceptable” and said the $93 billion total was the highest in September since at least 2008, Fox Los Angeles reported.Besides spending $6.9 million (approximately Rs. 69 crore) on lobster, the Pentagon also spent $15.1 million (approximately Rs. 151 crore) on rib-eye steak, $2 million (approximately Rs. 20 million) on Alaskan king crab, nearly $140,000 on donuts, more than $124,000 on an ice cream machine, and a Steinway grand piano for the Air Force residence priced at 98,329, the report said. USD, furniture (including a single chair worth nearly $1,900) was sold for $225 million (approximately Rs. 225 crore), a fruit basket stand was sold for $12,540, and Apple devices were sold for $5.3 million (approximately Rs. 53 crore).The findings drew criticism from across the political spectrum. California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by posting an AI-generated photo of him amid steak and lobster with the caption: “Hegseth robbed taxpayers of $93 billion in 1 month!!”“Reports show Secretary Pete Hegseth wasted $93 billion in federal Department of Defense funds late last year,” Rep. Melanie Stansbury said on social media. “You better believe we’re going to investigate,” she added.Meanwhile, Congressman Chuck Schumer called Hegseth a “liar” and said the $93 billion would have provided three years of tax credits for the ACA.Hegseth, defending himself in February 2025, said he welcomed DOGE’s review. “We need to know when we spend money, we need to know where it goes,” he told Fox News, adding, “We need to know when we spend money, we need to know where it goes.”A timeline in the report said the Pentagon spent more 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. The fiscal year ended on September 30, 2025, and the Pentagon drained remaining funds to avoid forfeiture. In October 2025, the war between the United States and Israel started. According to Fox Angeles, in March 2026, regulators announced full details of public luxury consumption.Congress is expected to hold hearings on the Pentagon’s year-end spending habits. As Iran’s war continues, with ammunition consumption in the first two days estimated at $5.6 billion (about Rs 56 crore), lawmakers are expected to use the spending report to push for tighter oversight and possible reforms to federal “use it or lose it” funding rules.