Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

Scott Jennings Goes Off On Democrat Complaining About Lobster, Crab Purchases By War Department

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Salem Radio Network host Scott Jennings triggered Democratic strategist Paul Begala Wednesday by explaining that seafood purchases highlighted by the media were for the troops.

The Department of War spent $93 billion in September under a “use it or lose it” policy, including substantial quantities of premium seafood like lobster tails and king crab legs in the buying spree. During an appearance on “The Source,” Begala claimed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had bought the premium food for himself.

“He has spent $15 million in one month for ribeye steaks,$6.9 million for lobster tail, $225 million for furniture. He spent more in the month of September than most countries on earth spend on their defense. All for himself. Lobster tails? While our troops are eating MREs? Lobster tails?” Begala ranted, with Jennings responding, “Do you believe the secretary of defense is personally eating all the lobster? It’s for the troops!”

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“Oh, really?! The troops are getting lobster?” Begala asked, with Jennings responding, “Frequently in theater, troops who are going to war are getting great meals.”

The United States military has often provided premium meals as a moral booster for deployed troops, Military.com reported in February. One video said that a meal of steak and lobster tails was used to celebrate the United States Army’s 250th birthday in June 2025, according to the Hindustan Times.

In World War II, the United States Navy constructed purpose-built vessels to serve as a floating ice cream factory for sailors and Marines deployed in the Western Pacific, according to Military.com. The vessel, officially called a “Barge, Refrigerated, Large,” cost $17.2 million in 2026 dollars and could make ten gallons of ice cream every seven minutes.

The Army also took extraordinary steps to provide soldiers ice cream, developing a dehydrated mix that could be flavored by just about any candy or fruit on hand after pilots were discovered making homemade ice cream concoctions that were taken up during combat missions, Military.com reported.