Saturday, April 19, 2025
The Trump administration has approved a record $1 trillion defense budget, marking the largest military spending package in US history.
The Trump administration has given the green light to a massive $1 trillion defense budget, marking the largest military spending package in US history. President Donald Trump revealed the plan during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the need for a strong military in the face of growing global threats.
"We are very cost conscious, but the military is something that we have to build and we have to be strong because you have a lot of bad forces out there now," Trump stated, highlighting the importance of a robust defense system. The proposed budget represents a significant 12% increase from current fiscal year spending levels.
The $1 trillion defense budget is the largest ever approved by the Trump administration, surpassing previous records. The budget aims to bolster the US military's capabilities, including purchasing new equipment and enhancing missile defense systems. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been working to reduce unnecessary expenses, with an 8% cut in certain Pentagon spending categories.
The proposed budget aligns with former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recommendation to boost defense spending by $50 billion more than projected in fiscal year 2026. Hegseth praised the announcement on social media, saying, “COMING SOON: the first TRILLION dollar Department of Defense budget. President Donald Trump is rebuilding our military — and FAST.”
The increased spending will likely face scrutiny from lawmakers, with Democrats questioning the impact on the federal deficit and non-defense programs. The full budget plan for fiscal 2026 is expected to be revealed later this spring, providing more details on the Trump administration's vision for US defense spending.
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