Trump aides struggle with how to spend $500 billion more on military

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Washington Post

WP Exclusive

Trump aides struggle with how to spend $500 billion more on military

The White House budget chief was among those who internally objected to the defense secretary’s plan to increase military spending by roughly 50 percent, sources say.

February 21, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. EST Today at 6:00 a.m. EST
6 min


Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth face reporters on Capitol Hill last month. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

By Jeff Stein and Dan Lamothe

Trump administration officials have struggled to figure out how to increase U.S. military spending by a whopping $500 billion in their forthcoming budget, slowing the overall White House spending plan, four people familiar with the matter said.

{snip}

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/21/trump-hegseth-budget-military/

---

I know the feeling! At the end of December, I had unspent funds in my flexible spending account. How was I to spend the money?

[SSJVegeta]

1. ...pay them more?

If spread equally across the entire DOD military and civilian workforce, would that be more than 400 grand per person?

[uncle ray]

2. i guess gold plated tanks it is.

[bluedigger]

3. It's no joke.

I was invited into a FEMA meeting once where the principles were complaining about how to spend $250M. And they were constrained by petty concerns such as legality.

[NoMoreRepugs]

4. Space lasers and flying aircraft carriers are possibilities I'd assume.

[PatSeg]

5. Look at Little Marco

He really hates his life. He looks miserable all the time, which can happen when one sells one's soul to the devil.

[travelingthrulife]

6. How about giving back the benefits you took away from them?

[twodogsbarking]

7. Just imagine how many people you can kill with $500 billion. Any questions?

[BlueBassLines]

8. Maybe give funds to the VA...

to, you know, take care of the Vets after their service?

[republianmushroom]

9. The facial responsible party ?

[SunSeeker]

10. How about on housing & medical care for homeless veterans?

I know, I know, that's crazy talk!

[Javaman]

11. Struggle or having a hard time hiding it? nt

[Rebl2]

12. Give it back

to the government coffers. Better yet give it to Medicare and Medicaid recipients.

[ThoughtCriminal]

13. Oh, just give it to the Trump family already!

cut out the middle men.