Related videos:
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced this Wednesday that the U.S. military budget for fiscal year 2027 will be 1.5 trillion dollars, the highest in the country's history.
The figure exceeds half a trillion beyond the initial proposal of one trillion, which was partially approved by Congress, and aims—according to the president—to build the “Army of Dreams” that will ensure the nation's security.
“After lengthy and difficult negotiations with senators, congressmen, secretaries, and other political representatives, I have determined that, for the good of our country, in these perilous times, the military budget for 2027 should not be one trillion, but 1.5 trillion dollars”, wrote President Trump in a statement released on his platform Truth Social and from the White House simultaneously.
The leader justified the increase in military spending as a necessary investment to “keep the nation safe and protected” “regardless of the enemy,” and stated that the rise will be possible thanks to the “tremendous revenues” generated by tariffs imposed on other countries.
"If it weren't for the enormous figures we are receiving thanks to tariffs on countries that previously scammed the United States, I would stick to the figure of one trillion, but thanks to those revenues, we can easily reach 1.5 trillion, produce an unmatched military force, pay part of the national debt, and provide dividends to middle-income patriots," Trump added.
The figure of 1.5 trillion dollars represents a historic increase in U.S. military spending and was announced a day after the president indicated that the country would produce weapons at an accelerated pace.
With that amount, Washington plans to strengthen its air defense capabilities, cybersecurity, hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and modernization of its naval, aerial, and space fleets, according to sources from the Department of Defense cited by local media.
The announcement comes just days after the military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the dictator Nicolás Maduro, and amid escalating global tensions with Russia, China, and Iran.
"Although some contractors have made crucial investments to increase production capacity and have responded to the vital interests of our Nation, many more have not. Numerous large contractors—while defaulting on existing contracts—are pursuing new and more lucrative contracts, stock buybacks, and excessive dividends for shareholders, at the expense of productive capacity, innovation, and timely delivery," it stated in the announcement.
He added that with immediate effect, "they are not allowed in any way, shape, or form to pay dividends or buy back shares, until they are able to produce a superior product, on time and within budget."
He added that "every company in our economy has the right to earn profits through prudent investments and hard work, but the U.S. defense industrial base also has the responsibility to ensure that our fighters have the best possible equipment and weaponry."
This Wednesday, Trump signed another order that instructs the Secretary of Defense to identify defense contractors that are underperforming, do not invest their own capital in productive capacity, do not adequately prioritize U.S. government contracts, or maintain an insufficient production rate.
Analysts in Washington have interpreted the measure as a sign of the return of the policy of "peace through strength" that characterized Trump's first administration and has received endorsement due to the tactical success of Maduro's arrest.
The president also stated that part of the fiscal surplus generated by the new tariffs will be allocated to pay down debt and to provide what he referred to as a “patriotic dividend” for middle-income American citizens.
Although he did not detail the mechanism of that bonus, he assured that his administration "can strengthen defense, pay debts, and reward true patriots at the same time."
Critics of the Democratic Party, however, have warned that increased military spending could divert funds from social programs and raise international tensions.
Filed under: