The world's largest aircraft carrier, the U.S. Navy nuclear-powered Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) arrives in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, December 1, 2025. Seaman Abigail Reyes/U.S. Navy/Handout via REUTERS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
(Washington, DC) – Critics on the left are accusing the Pentagon of wasteful spending after reports surfaced that the Department of Defense spent millions of dollars on food purchases — including steak and lobster — during the final month of the fiscal year. Supporters, however, say the spending reflects efforts to provide better meals for American service members.
According to an analysis by government spending watchdog Open the Books, the Department of Defense spent roughly $22 million on seafood and steak purchases in September 2025, including lobster, ribeye steak, crab and salmon.
The report claims the Pentagon spent $6.9 million on lobster tails, $15.1 million on ribeye steaks, $2 million on Alaskan king crab, and $1 million on salmon during that month alone. Additional purchases included doughnuts and ice cream equipment for military facilities.
The spending occurred at the end of the federal fiscal year, a period when government agencies often accelerate purchases due to so-called “use-it-or-lose-it” budget rules, which can lead departments to spend remaining funds before the fiscal year closes.
Critics quickly seized on the report to argue the spending represents government excess under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
But supporters say the criticism misses the bigger picture, arguing that feeding American service members quality meals should not be controversial.
Many pointed out that the purchases were made across the entire Department of Defense, which serves millions of active-duty personnel, reservists and support staff worldwide across thousands of bases.
The report also noted that large spending increases are common at the end of fiscal years across the federal government. For example, the Pentagon historically spends significantly more on equipment and supplies in September as budgets reset for the following year.
Hegseth has previously emphasized the need to improve accountability within the Defense Department. Earlier this year he said the Pentagon must ensure that taxpayer dollars are tracked properly while still ensuring troops have the resources they need.
The debate over the food purchases comes as the Trump administration has pushed for a broader crackdown on government waste while simultaneously increasing support for the U.S. military and improving conditions for service members.
Supporters of the move argue that providing better food for American troops should be seen as an investment in morale — not a scandal.
