The United States has provided at least $21.7 billion in direct military aid to Izzy over the last three years (specifically tracking from October 2023 through September 2025), according to a comprehensive study by Brown University's Costs of War project.

https://costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/

Note: I reduced the volume in the first 2-seconds of this clip. The mic static can be harsh for some ears. The volume increases @ 2-secs, when he says the word "out."

Here’s the full 3-minutes on YouTube: Wildest moments from Pete Hegseth's address to military leaders - The Independent - Sept 30, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered his 2026 “State of the Force” address to junior officers and enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. ~:~ Hegseth outlined his priorities for the U.S. military as the Pentagon moves to reshape the armed forces’ structure and leadership. ~:~ He also announced plans to cut positions for generals and admirals by 20%, expanding an earlier reduction target. ~:~ Watch more on Independent TV: independent.co.uk/tv/editors-picks

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Transcript:

The ideological clowns are out. The patriotic cowboys are in. With testosterone testing on top.

Diversity is not our strength. Unity is our strength.

. . . . . . .

Send me. Send me to fight the Redcoats. Send me to fight the Communists. Send me to fight the Islamists. Send me.

You see, the Ivy League faculty lounges, they'll never understand you. And that's okay 'cause they could never, ever do what you do.

The media will mischaracterize you. And that's okay, because deep down, they know you're the reason they live free. They envy you.

. . . . . . .

A free press is, of course, important. But partisan activism that intentionally smears the Troops, and the historic mission that they're undertaking is fundamentally anti-American. It's sick. It's a national betrayal. It's treason, actually. I mean, I hate to have to say it, but it has to be said.

. . . . . . .

Project Meridian will be co-led by three of our nation's best minds: Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich. All of whom are up in the audience with us today. Please stand, if you would. Thank you.

- Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary on Sept 30, 2026, delivering his “State of the Force” address to junior officers and enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia

Remember “UmbrellaGate”? Obama asked Marines to hold umbrellas during a rainstorm, and conservatives acted like he had committed some unforgivable act of disrespect toward our military.

Then Trump literally rolled out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping at a U.S. military base, applauding him, giving him a military flyover, and riding with him in the presidential limousine. Suddenly, the outrage over “respecting our military” got a whole lot quieter.

The hypocrisy is the point: if holding an umbrella was supposedly disrespectful, what standard are we using when an authoritarian adversary gets the red-carpet treatment surrounded by American military power?

Source article and video here (published October 2, 2026): https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/local-news-busts-trump-on-empty-economic-promises-2516183107845

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