The findings have ignited a firestorm of criticism over "wasteful" luxury purchases just as the U.S. enters a costly conflict with Iran. What is Lobstergate? What we know: According to the report by government watchdog Open The Books, in the final month of the 2025 fiscal year, the Department of Defense (DOD) moved to exhaust its remaining budget to avoid future funding cuts—a practice known as "use-it-or-lose-it." Beyond the $6.9 million for lobster, the Pentagon spent: $15.1 million on ribeye steaks $2 million on Alaskan king crab Nearly $140,000 on doughnuts Over $124,000 on ice cream machines High-end non-food items were also on the list, including: $98,329 Steinway & Sons grand piano for an Air Force residence $225 million in furniture, featuring individual chairs costing nearly $1,900 $12,540 for fruit basket stands $5.3 million on Apple devices Open the Books called the spending "completely unacceptable," noting that the $93 billion total was the highest month-of-September spend since at least 2008. Newsom mocks Hegseth for spending bill What they're saying: In his defense, Hegseth previously stated in February 2025 that he welcomed a DOGE review, saying, "We need to know when we spend dollars, we need to know where they’re going." California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked the Secretary of Defense by posting an AI-generated image of Hegseth lounging amid steaks and lobster, captioned: "HEGSETH BLOWING $93 BILLION OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN 1 MONTH "Reports are showing that Sec. Pete Hegseth blew $93 billion in federal DOD funding at the end of last year," stated Representative Melanie Stansbury on social media, adding,