President Donald Trump has called for a massive increase in US defense spending, proposing a budget of $1.5 trillion for 2027 to address what he described as “these very troubled and dangerous times.”
The proposed figure represents a more than 50% hike from this year’s $901 billion budget approved in December.
“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,” Trump posted on social media on Wednesday.
In a series of aggressive posts, the president also took aim at the executives and shareholders of major defense contractors. He threatened to halt payouts to bosses and investors unless companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman accelerated armament deliveries.
He specifically singled out Raytheon as the “least responsive” firm, warning that it must invest more in manufacturing plants or risk losing all business with the “Department of War.”
Trump also proposed a $5 million salary cap for defense executives, calling their current pay packages “exorbitant.”
While economists warn of unsustainable deficit levels, Trump argued the $1.5 trillion budget could be “easily hit” using revenue generated from tariffs.
The announcement comes amid heightened global tensions, following the US seizure of a Russian-flagged tanker and the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, alongside continued military friction between China and Taiwan.
