Late-Night Hosts Mock Pentagon Spending

Late-night television hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert on March 11, 2026, criticized reported overspending by the Pentagon under Pete Hegseth, following a report detailing $93 billion in expenditures in September. The report, published by Open the Books, highlighted millions spent on luxury food items and other non-essential goods.

Kimmel, on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," cited specific expenditures including $6.9 million on lobster tail, $1.5 million on ribeye steaks, $140,000 on donuts, and $124,000 on ice cream machines. He also noted that the Pentagon spent more on furniture in the past year than in the entire preceding decade. Colbert, on "The Late Show," focused on a $12,000 expenditure for fruit basket stands.

The Open the Books report indicated that the Pentagon's September spending included items such as a grand piano and Apple products, in addition to the food and furniture costs. These expenditures have drawn public scrutiny and comedic commentary regarding fiscal responsibility within the defense department.