Trump's 'Dream military' sees US defence spending surge to a whopping $1.5 Trillion

President Donald Trump has floated a dramatic expansion of U.S. military spending, proposing a 2027 defense budget of $1.5 trillion, a massive jump from the current $901 billion allocation. The proposal comes amid escalating global tensions, controversial overseas actions, and increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Trump and senior allies.

The push for a larger Pentagon budget follows a secretive U.S. operation in Caracas, Venezuela, where American forces reportedly carried out airstrikes on multiple sites and detained the country’s leadership. Since that episode, Trump and figures close to him have openly discussed expanding U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere, including claims that Greenland, a Danish territory and NATO partner, should fall under American control.

Beyond Greenland, Trump has hinted at possible military pressure on Colombia, Cuba, and Iran, fueling concern among foreign policy analysts. Some observers have compared Trump’s language and ambitions to the late-19th-century presidency of William McKinley, a period marked by U.S. territorial expansion that included Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Philippines.

Announcing his vision on social media, Trump framed the proposal as essential to national security. He said the increased funding would allow the United States to build what he described as a “Dream Military,” claiming it is necessary to keep the country safe regardless of future threats.

The proposal comes after the military already received a substantial funding boost through a Republican-backed spending package signed into law last year. That legislation added roughly $175 billion for defense while pairing tax cuts with reductions in domestic spending.

Despite Republican control in Washington, Trump’s call for even higher military spending is expected to face resistance. Democrats have raised concerns about ballooning defense budgets during a time of domestic economic strain, while fiscally conservative Republicans have historically opposed deficit-driven military expansion.

Trump, however, has argued that the United States can afford the increase due to a surge in federal revenue from tariffs imposed since his return to office. Government data shows tariff and excise tax revenues have climbed sharply, reaching $288.5 billion last year, nearly triple the amount collected just a few years earlier.

Alongside the budget proposal, Trump has escalated his confrontation with major defense contractors, particularly Raytheon. He warned that the Pentagon could halt future purchases unless the company stops stock buybacks and reinvests profits into expanding domestic weapons manufacturing.

Trump has repeatedly criticized defense firms for failing to meet delivery timelines while continuing to reward shareholders and executives. In recent statements, he accused companies of prioritizing financial engineering over national security readiness.

Raytheon plays a central role in U.S. defense production, manufacturing widely used weapons systems such as the Tomahawk cruise missile, Javelin and Stinger shoulder-launched missiles, and the Sidewinder air-to-air missile. Through its ownership of Pratt & Whitney, the company also produces jet engines used across all branches of the U.S. military, including those powering the F-35 fighter jet.

Financial markets reacted swiftly to Trump’s comments. Shares of major defense contractors declined, with Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and RTX Corp. all posting notable losses as investors weighed the implications of tighter government oversight and shifting procurement priorities.

Taken together, Trump’s proposal signals a sharp turn toward expanded military power, aggressive foreign policy posturing, and direct pressure on the defense industry moves that are already reshaping political debate, global alliances, and market confidence.