President Donald Trump is proposing a 13% increase in defense spending for fiscal year 2026, pushing the Pentagon’s budget past the $1 trillion mark for the first time in U.S. history. The “skinny budget” plan, obtained by Air & Space Forces Magazine, outlines national security goals focused on deterring China, strengthening homeland defense, and revitalizing the defense industrial base.
Under the proposal, defense spending would rise from $893 billion in FY2025 to $1.01 trillion in FY2026. The plan aligns with a $150 billion Republican-led reconciliation package already advancing through Congress.
Key priorities include accelerating the Golden Dome missile defense system, ramping up shipbuilding and munitions production, and expanding deterrence initiatives across the Indo-Pacific. The Navy stands to be the largest beneficiary as it works to counter China’s growing maritime power. The Space Force is also slated for significant percentage gains, reflecting Trump’s ongoing focus on space-based military capability.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump have both publicly committed to exceeding the $1 trillion threshold, arguing that bold investments are necessary to restore American military dominance and address global threats.
“The budget underscores our commitment to securing the homeland and staying ahead of our adversaries—especially China,” the document states.
While the proposal marks a historic spending level, it remains subject to congressional approval. Lawmakers will review and debate the plan in the months ahead, determining which elements will become law.
