In a recent conversation with Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller News Foundation, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, expressed his concerns about the Pentagon's budget, which he described as a "huge demonic sucking tube.
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This statement came in the wake of President Donald Trump's announcement of a proposed 13% increase in defense spending for his second administration, pushing the Pentagon's budget over the $1 trillion mark.
According to the Daily Caller, during the discussion, which centered on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Cohen voiced his thoughts on how the U.S. could better utilize its budget. He suggested that the funds could be redirected towards more affordable housing and education, thereby reviving the American dream. "We could make it so that the American dream could actually still happen, that people could afford a house. That you can get a decent education, and that you can get childcare, Cohen stated.
Cohen further criticized the high cost of college education in the U.S., contrasting it with other developed nations that provide these services to their citizens. He underscored his point by presenting a budget chart, highlighting the disproportionate allocation of funds. "Most other developed countries are providing that for their citizens, but the U.S. chooses to spend, I mean, look at this, Cohen said, referring to the chart.
Despite the proposed increase in defense spending, President Trump ordered a review of all defense acquisition programs in April. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was given 90 days to scrutinize and potentially cancel major defense programs that were either 15% or more over budget or behind schedule.
Forbes reported that during the U.S. 2024 fiscal year, national defense spending was one of the top five expenditures, reaching $874 billion. This figure trailed behind Social Security at $1.46 trillion, health at $912 billion, net interest on the debt at $882 billion, and was on par with Medicare at $874 billion.
Cohen used his chart to illustrate the federal discretionary budget, emphasizing the large portion allocated to the Pentagon. He compared this to the relatively small amounts dedicated to other departments such as USAID, education, health, and community development. But in terms of stuff that would actually be helpful to people living in their daily lives, its all sucked out by the Pentagon, Cohen said.
Cohen also referenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1967 speech, in which he criticized the U.S. for prioritizing the Vietnam War over the rehabilitation of its poor. Martin Luther King gave this speech, and he talked about the Pentagon being this huge demonic sucking tube that sucks out the lifeblood of things like housing, schools, Cohen added.
In response to these concerns, Defense Secretary Hegseth issued a memo on Monday directing the Department of Defense to reduce the number of active four-star military officers and general officers in the National Guard by at least 20%, along with a minimum 10% reduction among general and flag officers. This move could potentially signal a shift towards a more balanced allocation of the nation's budget, addressing the issues raised by Cohen.
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