Pentagon spent more on lobster in one month than it did on trans health care all year

"A new analysis by the government watchdog group Open the Books found that the Department of Defense spent $93.4 billion on grants and contracts in September 2025 alone, the final month of the fiscal year. The figure marks the largest single-month spending total ever recorded by a federal agency, according to the group."

"Among the purchases identified in the report were $6.9 million spent on lobster, $2 million on Alaskan king crab, and $15.1 million on ribeye steak in September alone. The spending also included 272 orders of doughnuts totaling $139,224, and $124,000 for ice cream machines."

"The Pentagon also spent heavily on furnishings and specialty items. Records show $225.6 million was spent on furniture, including $60,719 on high-end office chairs, $12,540 on decorative fruit basket stands, and $111,497 on footrests. Musical instruments accounted for $1.8 million in spending, including a $98,329 Steinway grand piano for the Air Force chief of staff's residence."

The Department of Defense spent a record $93.4 billion in September 2025, the final month of the fiscal year, according to analysis by government watchdog Open the Books. This represents the largest single-month spending total ever recorded by a federal agency. The spending surge included $6.9 million on lobster, $2 million on Alaskan king crab, $15.1 million on ribeye steak, $225.6 million on furniture including high-end office chairs and decorative stands, and $1.8 million on musical instruments including a $98,329 Steinway grand piano. Federal budgeting practices require agencies to spend appropriated funds before fiscal year end or forfeit them, encouraging last-minute expenditures. This spending pattern contrasts with the Trump administration's argument in federal court that providing medical care to transgender service members represents an undue financial burden on the armed forces.

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