Mind-Boggling True Cost of Trump’s War Revealed
Officials say the ballooning bill is still probably on the low side.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Donald Trump’s war on Iran has officially been given an eye-watering new price tag.
The Pentagon told Congress last week that American taxpayers had forked out at least $47.1 billion up to Oct. 16 to fund the president’s Middle Eastern war. It’s now in its ninth month despite Trump’s assurances that it would last only a few weeks.
The bill, which congressional officials shared with The New York Times, reflects a $3.5 billion leap from the last accounting six weeks ago. That is despite major strikes being paused and Trump still deciding whether to resume them after next week’s midterm elections.
The USS Abraham Lincoln shows the extent of its combat operations as it returns to the U.S.
Mike Blake/REUTERS
Officials told the newspaper that the estimate is almost certainly on the low side.
The figures cover damaged and destroyed equipment, with $6.1 billion spent on replacements and repairs, and also include operational costs for all branches of the military involved.
The government said the war wouldn't last very long.
Kylie Cooper/REUTERS
The Navy has spent $1.5 billion operating its fleet in the region, with an estimated 20 ships operating in the Middle Eastern theater at a time.
Sign Up for The Swamp Newsletter
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Army has run up a tab worth $2.1 billion, the Pentagon said, maintaining its bases in the region. Many are understood to have come under intense Iranian airstrikes. However, the Times reported that the cost of repairs was not included in the latest bill sheet.
Billions have been spent on operating costs across the three main branches of the military.
US Navy/via REUTERS
The Air Force leads the pack, with $7.6 billion spent as it operates several squadrons and hundreds of sorties in the region.
CENTCOM says there are 50,000 troops involved in the operation overall.
The U.S. has flown hundreds of sorties during the conflict.
US Navy/via REUTERS
The Pentagon has also spent $29 billion on munitions, $92 million on moving supplies, $14 million on cyber operations, $24 million on medical costs, and $645 million on operating elite commandos.
It tallies with a Congressional Research Service report from earlier this month, which said that 80 aircraft had been lost or damaged in the fight. It has also cost 18 American lives and left around 860 injured, according to the Pentagon.
The heavy use of munitions is creating problems for more than just the U.S., with shipments of vital air defenses such as Patriot missiles slowing to embattled Ukraine.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth out by name, saying in a statement on X, “In particular, we have been waiting for nearly a month for Mr. Hegseth to sign off on missiles for Patriots and NASAMS. I instructed our team to raise this with the American side once again. Conversations with other countries are also ongoing.”
In June, the White House and the Pentagon asked Congress for an additional $70 billion to help cover the war’s costs.
The Daily Beast has contacted the White House and the Pentagon for comment.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in or create an account
Login dialog
Loading comments…