U.S. troops have expressed their outrage in response to CNN’s allegations that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth squandered $20 million of taxpayer money on extravagant steak and lobster dinners.

In a bid to set the record straight, service members shared exclusive photos with the Daily Mail, revealing their meals—small lobster tails and unappealing grey ribeye steaks served on cafeteria trays—during the months leading up to military operations in Iran.

This reaction followed a fiery on-air debate during which CNN commentator Paul Begala accused Hegseth of stockpiling luxury food items for himself instead of providing for troops enduring demanding late-night shifts.

The controversy erupted after Begala fiercely criticized the Pentagon’s sudden increase in budget spending in September.

“He has spent $15 million in one month on ribeye steak, $6.9 million on lobster tail, and $225 million on furniture. He spent more in September than many countries spend on their defense. All for himself,” Begala declared, labeling it a disgrace.

One of the panelists quickly challenged Begala’s claims, questioning: “Do you really believe the Secretary of War is personally consuming all the lobster? It’s intended 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

AI GENERATED PHOTO: California Governor Gavin Newsom X post used an AI generated image to troll US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

As the US and Israel’s military campaign with Iran goes into the 18’th day, Trump’s leading counterterrorism official, Joseph Kent, has now resigned in protest of the war, claiming Israel pressured the US into a conflict founded on lies.

Kent, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, maintained that Iran was not an imminent threat. He stated the war began ‘due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,’ adding, ‘I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war.’

Concurrently, Trump attacked American allies after they declined to assist in the Strait of Hormuz. Following their rejection of his request for help amid rising oil prices, the President wrote on Truth Social Tuesday, ‘We no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO countries’ assistance — we never did.’

Trump noted he was told the allies ‘don’t want to get involved’ in the conflict. He criticized NATO as a ‘one-way street,’ saying, ‘we will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.’

One former active-duty member explained to the Daily Mail that all service branches occasionally receive these special meals during peak operation planning, 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. 

As we reach the 18th day of the US-Israeli war with Iran, the conflict has rapidly escalated from targeted decapitation strikes into a deeply entrenched regional crisis with severe global economic fallout. 

Triggered by the February 28 offensive that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the allied air campaign has relentlessly hammered Iran’s military, drone and ballistic missile infrastructure. In response, a newly consolidated Iranian leadership has launched massive retaliatory barrages against Israel and US installations across the Middle East. 

Most consequentially for the rest of the world, Tehran has successfully paralyzed the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a massive energy shock that has sent crude oil prices soaring and fractured international supply chains.