President Donald J. Trump posted a detailed message on Truth Social on January 7, 2026, addressing the U.S. defense industry and its major contractors.
In the post, Trump cautioned defense contractors about their financial practices, stating: “All United State Defense Contractors, and the Defense Industry as a whole, BEWARE: While we make the best Military Equipment in the World (No other Country is even close!), Defense Contractors are currently issuing massive Dividends to their Shareholders and massive Stock Buybacks, at the expense and detriment of investing in Plants and Equipment. This situation will no longer be allowed or tolerated!”
He further criticized executive compensation, writing that “Executive Pay Packages in the Defense Industry are exorbitant and unjustifiable given how slowly these Companies are delivering vital Equipment to our Military, and our Allies. Salaries, Stock Options, and every other form of Compensation are far too high for these Executives.”
Trump emphasized delays in production and maintenance, noting that “Defense Companies are not producing our Great Military Equipment rapidly enough and, once produced, not maintaining it properly or quickly.” He directed executives to “build NEW and MODERN Production Plants” for both delivery and maintenance of equipment, as well as for developing future models.
Until these changes occur, Trump stated that “no Executive should be allowed to make in excess of $5 Million Dollars which, as high as it sounds, is a mere fraction of what they are making now.” He also addressed maintenance issues, demanding it be “spot on, on time.”
Concluding the message, the President declared: “Therefore, I will not permit Dividends or Stock Buybacks for Defense Companies until such time as these problems are rectified — Likewise, for Salaries and Executive Compensation. MILITARY EQUIPMENT IS NOT BEING MADE FAST ENOUGH! It must be built now with the Dividends, Stock Buybacks, and Over Compensation of Executives, rather than borrowing from Financial Institutions, or getting the money from your Government.”
Trump added that in the long term, these measures would benefit executives and shareholders because “it will be GREAT for our Country!” The post ended with “Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” and was signed “DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
The U.S. defense industry includes major contractors responsible for producing advanced military equipment under government contracts, with ongoing emphasis on rapid production to support national security needs.
