Hegseth's Pentagon Spends Over $22 M on Lobster, Crab, and Steak, As Warship Sailors Go Hungry

In Trump’s ongoing war of choice against Iran, the US Navy’s buildup involves two aircraft carrier strike groups, over a dozen warships, and tens of thousands of troops in the region. The US armada represents the largest naval deployment to the Middle East since 2023.

Unfortunately, the crews aboard many of these ships have already suffered through extended deployments, exceeding six months. These deployments have significantly degraded morale, increased stress, and damaged retention rates.

Recently, there have been multiple reports that sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the supercarrier USS Abraham Lincoln have faced significant food shortages and poor-quality food near the Strait of Hormuz.

Photos, reported by USA Today and shared on social media, show meager meal portions, including small amounts of meat and limited sides, which have led to complaints of hunger and “inedible” food.

Reports indicate that food has been rationed as fresh food items ran out, forcing crews to rely on processed items. These conditions were tied to prolonged operations near Iran and strained supply lines, with some reports noting that mail and care packages were suspended

The US Navy denied a report Friday that warships deployed to the Middle East were short on food and sailors were purportedly being served what some on social media described as “rationed slop.”

“Recent reports alleging food shortages and poor quality aboard our deployed ships are false,” read a statement released by the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, run by Adm. Daryl Caudle.

“Both USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli have sufficient food onboard to serve their crews with healthy options,” the statement continued. “The health and well-being of our Sailors and Marines are my top priority, and every crew member continues to receive fully portioned, nutritionally balanced meals.”

Despite counterclaims by the Navy about the quality of the food served to US sailors, Hegseth’s Pentagon is caught in a $7 miillion “lobstergate” scandal. A government watchdog report reveals the Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, spent $6.9 million on lobster tails during a single month in late 2025.

The expenditure was part of a record-breaking $93.4 billion “use-it-or-lose-it” spree in September that included ribeye steaks, king crab, and luxury furniture.

Critics and lawmakers are slamming the optics of the spending, contrasting the “surf and turf” budget with the administration’s public push for federal efficiency.

A newly released analysis of Department of Defense spending shows a staggering $93.4 billion splurge in September 2025, as officials scrambled to exhaust their budget before the fiscal year deadline.

Beyond the $6.9 million for lobster, the Pentagon spent: