The Media Freakout Over Steak and Lobster for Troops Explained

The internet had a meltdown this week after a viral report from TMZ claimed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved millions of dollars for steak, lobster, crab, and even donuts for members of the U.S. military. Critics immediately framed it as reckless spending — another example, they said, of the Pentagon wasting taxpayer money.

But there’s just one problem with the outrage: the story isn’t new, and the practice isn’t unusual.