How do you blow $93bn in 30 days on yourself? U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shows the world

Americans can’t stop talking about U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, after reports surfaced that he spent $93.4 billion in a single month on what many are calling pure luxury.

Months before the U.S.-Israel war with Iran kicked off, the Pentagon reportedly went on a spending spree that included fruit baskets, Alaskan King Crab, Herman Miller recliners, ice cream machines, Apple iPads, and even a Steinway & Sons grand piano.

According to watchdog Open The Books, nearly $50.1 billion of that sum went out during the last five working days of September 2025 — more than what many countries spend on their military in an entire year. Among the purchases: a $100,000 Steinway grand piano for the Air Force chief of staff, $225.6 million in furniture, and millions more on Apple devices and high-end recliners.

To put $93 billion into perspective, that’s enough to fund clean drinking water for over 300 million people, build more than 1,500 new schools in underprivileged areas, or provide basic healthcare for tens of millions worldwide. It could cover three years of tax credits under the Affordable Care Act for millions of Americans, or provide emergency food and shelter to hundreds of thousands of families facing crisis.

The backlash was immediate. Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico, said she would investigate:

“In addition to billions of taxpayer dollars being burned in this war in Iran, reports are showing that Sec. Pete Hegseth blew $93 billion in federal DOD funding at the end of last year. You better believe we’ll be investigating.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Hegseth a “grifter” and highlighted the outrage over the purchases:

“Hegseth spent $93 billion in one month — roughly the cost of extending the ACA tax credits for three years. But instead of lowering Americans’ healthcare costs, Hegseth used millions of taxpayer dollars on fruit baskets, Herman Miller recliners, ice cream machines, Alaskan King Crabs, and a Steinway & Sons grand piano. A true grifter in every sense of the word.”

Social media exploded with reactions. One user wrote, “Everybody gets to use our money except us."

"BUT THEY’RE MAD ABOUT FOOD STAMPS????!!?????” Another commented, “Why am I paying for someone else’s piano?” Another concerned American citizen asked, “Serious question: can we, the people, sue the government for misuse of taxpayer dollars? I’m legitimately asking if this is possible?”

The story has become a lightning rod for debate over government spending, accountability, and priorities, especially as Americans face rising costs and tightening budgets due to more spending on war.