Angry US military personnel have responded strongly to CNN’s allegations that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth squandered $20 million of taxpayer money on extravagant steak and lobster dinners.

Service members reached out to the Daily Mail, sharing exclusive photographs of their meals—modest lobster tails and grey ribeye steaks served in a cafeteria setting on trays. These images were captured in the months leading up to military operations in Iran.

The uproar was triggered following a fiery exchange on CNN, where commentator Paul Begala accused Hegseth of stockpiling these luxury items for himself, suggesting they were not reaching the soldiers enduring taxing late-night shifts.

This controversy was stirred when Begala delivered a sharp critique of the Pentagon’s budget increase in September, alleging misuse of funds.

“He has spent $15 million in one month for ribeye steak, $6.9 million for lobster tail, and $225 million for furniture,” Begala declared, adding, “He spent more in the month of September than most countries spend on their entire defense. All for himself,” labeling the spending as shameful.

Another panelist quickly countered Begala’s claims, questioning, “Do you believe the Secretary of War is personally eating all the lobster? It is for the troops!”

The troops on the ground say they are being treated to these meals, but it isn’t exactly the glamorous lifestyle pundits imagine.

US troops are firing back at explosive claims that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blew millions on luxury ‘personal’ meals, providing exclusive evidence to the Daily Mail that the high–end grub was actually served as a precursor to military action in Iran 

In a series of photos sent exclusively to the Daily Mail, service members shared images of their dinner plates, heaped with ribeye and lobster, proving the ‘fancy’ meals were distributed to the rank–and–file in the months leading up to the Iran campaign

One Army member explained to the Daily Mail that all service branches occasionally receive these special meals, including ‘cafeteria-style’ lobster tail.

‘These gestures recognize long hours, deployments, and last–minute mobilizations for Reserve and Guard members. They also reflect a long–standing tradition of providing a good meal before a potential combat deployment,’ he said.

One service member was even more blunt about the quality of the ‘luxury’ spread, telling the Daily Mail: ‘We’re not crushing lobster tails and Delmonicos Tony Soprano–style here and passing the bill off to the American public—they’re not even that good to begin with.’

Despite the defense from the front lines, Hegseth remains under fire for the sheer scale of the Pentagon’s ‘use–it–or–lose–it’ spending.

An analysis by watchdog group Open the Books reveals the Department of Defense dropped a staggering $93 billion in September 2025 alone to exhaust its budget before the fiscal year ended. 

This marks the largest single–month expenditure for any federal agency since at least 2008.

The breakdown of the binge includes $15.1 million on ribeye steak, $6.9 million on lobster tail, and $2 million on Alaskan king crab. 

In addition to the culinary costs, the records include the purchase of a $98,329 Steinway & Sons grand piano installed at the residence of the Air Force Chief of Staff.

However, the report suggests Hegseth doesn’t actually take the top spot for biggest spender; former President Barack Obama reportedly spent between $300 million and $400 million on furniture while in office.

The controversy ignited when Begala launched into a scathing critique of the Pentagon’s September budget surge

An analysis by watchdog group Open the Books reveals the Department of Defense dropped a staggering $93 billion in September 2025 alone to exhaust its budget before the fiscal year ended

California Governor Gavin Newsom shared an AI–generated image of Hegseth lounging in a chair next to a grand piano, surrounded by iPads and piles of lobster

Political rivals have wasted no time attacking the figures.

California Governor Gavin Newsom shared an AI–generated image of Hegseth lounging in a chair next to a grand piano, surrounded by iPads and piles of lobster. 

‘Hegseth blowing $93 billion of taxpayer dollars in 1 month!!’ the post said.

Democratic Congressman Chuck Schumer also hit back, calling Hegseth a ‘grifter’ in a scathing social media post. 

‘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,’ Schumer wrote. ‘

A true grifter in every sense of the word.’

Historically, a surge in military officials and troops eating pricey meals has been viewed as a sign that something may be brewing, such as Trump’s war in Iran.