Trump Seeks a $500 Billion Increase in Defense Spending

That’s a 5.8 trillion increase in debt over 10 years factoring in interest.

Truth Social

Truth Social Link: After long and difficult negotiations with Senators, Congressmen, Secretaries, and other Political Representatives, I have determined that, for the Good of our Country, especially in these very troubled and dangerous times, our Military Budget for the year 2027 should not be $1 Trillion Dollars, but rather $1.5 Trillion Dollars. This will allow us to build the “Dream Military” that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe. If it weren’t for the tremendous numbers being produced by Tariffs from other Countries, many of which, in the past, have “ripped off” the United States at levels never seen before, I would stay at the $1 Trillion Dollar number but, because of Tariffs, and the tremendous Income that they bring, amounts being generated, that would have been unthinkable in the past (especially just one year ago during the Sleepy Joe Biden Administration, the Worst President in the History of our Country!), we are able to easily hit the $1.5 Trillion Dollar number while, at the same time, producing an unparalleled Military Force, and having the ability to, at the same time, pay down Debt, and likewise, pay a substantial Dividend to moderate income Patriots within our Country!

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

CRFB Budget Analysis

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates $1.5 Trillion Military Budget Would Add $5.8 Trillion to Debt Over Decade

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump called for increasing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 defense budget to $1.5 trillion, rather than $1 trillion he said he previously wanted to propose. We preliminarily estimate that this would increase defense spending by $5 trillion through 2035, adding $5.8 trillion to the national debt when interest is included.

To justify this increase, President Trump points to the substantial revenue being brought in by the tariffs enacted thus far in his second term, arguing that the tariffs would be sufficient to cover increased military spending, rebate payments, and deficit reduction. In reality, the military spending increase would be about twice as large as expected tariff revenue.

The Congressional Budget Office recently estimated current tariffs would raise $2.5 trillion of additional revenue through 2035, or $3 trillion with interest. On a dynamic basis, the revenue is likely to be somewhat smaller.

Importantly, the Supreme Court may soon rule that a substantial portion of the tariffs – those put in place via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) – are illegal. In that case, total deficit reduction from the tariff revenue would be closer to $700 billion through 2035 on a conventional basis based on prior estimates, covering only about 15% of the cost of a defense hike. It is important to note that President Trump said that absent tariff revenue, military spending should total $1 trillion in 2027.

Given the $175 billion appropriated to the defense budget under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), there is little case for a near-term increase in military spending. Any future increases that may be necessary should be fully paid for, ideally twice-over given our high and rising national debt, with new revenue or spending cuts. Policymakers should not rely on existing tariff revenue – without which deficits would be much higher – and even if they did it would fall far short of covering the costs of such a large defense spending increase.

Rumsfeld Flashback

In 2003 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said the war in Iraq would cost 3.9 Billion.

In 2014 I noted Defense Dept. to Request $30-40 Billion a Year to Fight ISIS; History Lessons

Anyone recall how the war in Iraq would pay for itself? That was the US Defense Department estimate in 2003.

Now some $3 trillion later (add in veterans’ benefits, depreciation of equipment, humanitarian aid, covert action, and paying for the military efforts of our coalition ‘partners’ and the Total Cost of Iraq, Afghan Wars is $4-6 Trillion.

That was the 2014 cost. The US did not withdraw its last troops from Afghanistan until August 30, 2021. And most Republicans wanted to stay.

On May 21, 2025 I asked How Much Will Trump’s “Golden Dome” Missile Defense Shield Cost?

Trump says $175 Billion. The CBO says $542 billion. Think much higher.

The foot in the door cost of the Golden Dome is supposedly $175 Billion.

The foot in the Mideast door was $3.9 billion with a total cost of $4-6 trillion by 2014.

Please note Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Would Increase the Deficit by $4.8 Trillion

Penn Wharton updated their budget analysis of the House bill as it now stands.

Q: Does that $4.8 Trillion include anything for the Golden Dome?
A: No

Then tack on another $1 trillion over the next 10 years if we start marching down this path.

Senate OKs a More than Requested $852 Billion in Defense Spending

On August 2, 2025, I commented Senate OKs a More than Requested $852 Billion in Defense Spending

Senate appropriators advanced plans for roughly $852 billion in defense funding next fiscal year, a significant boost over White House goals and House lawmakers’ outlines for military spending in 2026.

The appropriations measure advanced out of the Senate Appropriations Committee by a bipartisan 26-3 vote, with both Republican and Democratic leaders praising the plan as meeting the emerging needs of the armed forces.

So much for weeding out waste, fraud and abuse.

The defense department has the largest discretionary budget, a record of large cost overruns, and an inability to pass an audit for seven years.

So let’s just give them a lot more money, even more than they asked for.

Think!

If you think the Fed will stop monetizing the debt, then think again.

If you think either Congress will do anything about soaring deficits, then think again.

If you think DOGE will do anything about soaring deficits, then think again.

If you think Trump will do anything about soaring deficits, then think again.

If you think tariffs will offset spending that Trump demands and Congress will deliver, then think again.

Now Trump wants to increase the defense budget from an alleged $1 trillion that was really $852 billion to $1.5 trillion.

What About the Golden Fleet?

Don’t worry, the cost of the Golden Fleet is only $5 billion per ship.

I Told You So

This call was too easy to make.