Trump demands a 50% increase in the US military budget
8 January 10:12
The US military budget for 2027 is expected to be $1.5 trillion (€1.3 trillion). US President Donald Trump expressed his confidence in this on Wednesday, January 7, on the social network Truth Social.
This amount significantly exceeds the $901 billion (€771 billion) approved by Congress for 2026, Reuters reported, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to Trump, he made the decision “after long and difficult negotiations with senators, congressmen, secretaries (heads of executive departments. – Ed.) and other political representatives.” According to the head of the White House, this step will allow Washington to create “the armed forces of dreams” and ensure “security and protection.” It will be possible to increase spending “thanks to tariffs,” the US president assures. At the same time, he expressed the opinion that the United States will be able to continue reducing its national debt and pay dividends to Americans with “moderate income.”
The proposal must be approved by the US Congress
Meanwhile, any increase in the military budget will require the approval of the US Congress, Reuters notes, recalling that at this stage, Republicans have a small majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Today, the US already spends more on military needs than other countries, the AFP news agency clarified. Earlier, Trump expressed doubts on social media about the loyalty of Washington’s allies to NATO.
Expert Center: Only half of the costs can be covered by tariffs
Meanwhile, the non-partisan think tank Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget says that Trump’s proposals would cost $5 trillion (€4 trillion) by 2035, adding $5.8 trillion (€4.9 trillion) to the US national debt. The center believes that only half of the costs can be covered by existing tariffs.
From the “Golden Dome” to the “Golden Fleet”
According to Politico, the “huge increase” is apparently linked to the high cost of a number of Trump’s programs, from the Golden Dome air defense system to the Golden Fleet, a project to modernize the country’s Navy. According to the White House, these programs will include a new generation of battleships with incredible equipment in the coming years.
The US defense budget bill for fiscal year 2026, which provides for a record $901 billion in military spending, was passed by Congress on December 17, 2025. The document, in particular, provides for a 3.8% increase in military salaries, the purchase of military equipment, and measures to strengthen US competitiveness against its main rivals, China and Russia.
