Trump Ally Laura Loomer Blasts Lockheed Martin's F-35 Fighter Program as Woke and Broke

Laura Loomer, a close ally of President Donald Trump, launched a blistering attack on Lockheed Martin's $LMT ( ▼ 1.03% ) F-35 fighter jet program, calling it "woke, dysfunctional, and an enormous waste of taxpayer dollars."^1

Her comments have reignited debate about the most expensive weapons program in U.S. history at a time when the Pentagon is struggling to pass its financial audit and defense contractors face increasing scrutiny from the Trump administration.

The $2 Trillion Question: Is the F-35 Worth It?

The F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program, with its staggering $2.1 trillion lifetime cost estimate spanning 94 years (1994-2088), has long been a lightning rod for criticism.^3,^9

About half of this figure-approximately $1 trillion-comes from inflation adjustments over the program's nearly century-long lifespan.

What does this astronomical sum actually cover? The program includes:

• Development, procurement and modernization of 2,456 aircraft by 2049
• Establishment of depot repair capabilities 
• Initial spares and operational support
• Military and civilian personnel costs
• Fuel, repairs, software maintenance, and modifications
• 40-year forecast of through-life development costs

The F-35 Joint Program Office has attempted to contextualize these costs, noting that the program uniquely captures long-term modernization expenses upfront, an unprecedented approach for military procurement.^9

Technical Troubles Mount

Loomer's criticism comes amid persistent technical challenges with the aircraft. She specifically mentioned that the U.S. Air Force is accepting jets with non-functional radar systems, highlighting one of several documented performance issues.^1

Recent reports from the Pentagon paint a troubling picture.

In January 2025, the Pentagon's test director stated that the F-35 program has shown no improvement in meeting schedule and performance timelines for software development and testing.^4

These software issues are particularly concerning as they relate to the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrade, which has caused significant delivery delays.^12

The technical challenges facing the F-35 include:

Pentagon Audit Woes

The F-35 program isn't just facing technical scrutiny-it's also hampering the Pentagon's financial accountability.

For the sixth consecutive year, failures in tracking the inventory of spare parts and equipment for the fighter jet have been identified as a "material weakness" contributing to the Pentagon's inability to pass a comprehensive audit.^2,^13

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has promised to deliver the Pentagon's first-ever clean audit by 2028, but the F-35 stands as perhaps the biggest obstacle to that goal.^2

The program is the only major weapons system among the Pentagon's 28 listed material weaknesses.^13

INVENTORY TRACKING FAILURES INCLUDE:
- Thousands of parts and pieces of equipment
- Tires and landing gear components
- Specialized testing devices
- Diamond-tipped drills
- Other mission-critical components

These persistent inventory issues prevent the Pentagon from properly accounting for or valuing government property related to the F-35 program, creating a significant gap in financial reporting.^13

Musk Joins the Criticism

Loomer's attack follows similar criticism from Elon Musk, who serves as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency in the Trump administration. Musk has repeatedly called the F-35 "obsolete" and the "worst military value for money in history."^11

In response to Loomer's weekend criticism, Musk added fuel to the fire by stating that "crewed aircraft will be destroyed instantly by cheap drone swarms"-suggesting that expensive manned fighters like the F-35 may be vulnerable to emerging technologies at a fraction of the cost.^7,^11

This view reflects growing concerns about the survivability of traditional fighter aircraft in future conflicts dominated by autonomous systems.

The critique is particularly notable given Musk's influential role in advising the Trump administration on federal spending optimization.^11

Lockheed Martin's Response and Future Plans

Despite mounting criticism, Lockheed Martin remains committed to the F-35 program and has ambitious delivery plans for 2025. The company expects to deliver between 170 and 190 F-35s this year, a significant increase from the 110 delivered in 2024.^5

Lockheed's CEO Jim Taiclet has also outlined a strategy to maintain the F-35's relevance following the company's loss in the competition to build the Air Force's next-generation fighter (the F-47) to Boeing.

Taiclet claims Lockheed can integrate 80% of sixth-generation capabilities into the F-35 at half the cost of developing a completely new aircraft.^8,^11

In what he described as a "NASCAR upgrade," Taiclet envisions transforming the existing F-35 "chassis" into a "fifth-generation plus" variant that incorporates technologies developed under the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter initiative.^8

Economic Impact Arguments

Defenders of the F-35 program point to its significant economic footprint. According to industry estimates:

The program supports high-tech jobs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software development across numerous states.^6

This economic argument has historically helped shield the program from budget cuts, as lawmakers consider both military and economic implications of defense spending in their districts.

Political Implications and Future Outlook

The criticism from Trump allies like Loomer and Musk signals potential headwinds for the F-35 program under the current administration.

Trump himself has been complimentary of the program in the past, but his administration's "America First" priorities may influence future procurement decisions.^10

Recent developments in Congress also suggest growing impatience with the program.

Lawmakers cut the number of F-35s authorized for purchase in 2025 from 68 to 58 under the defense authorization bill, with a senior House Armed Services Committee staff member citing frustration with delivery delays and technical problems.^12

Additionally, geopolitical tensions could affect international sales.

Canada has committed to buying its first tranche of F-35As but is reviewing the remainder of its planned 88-jet program following recent tensions with the Trump administration.^10

Similar concerns exist regarding the German order.

Analysis: What's at Stake?

The F-35 debate represents a collision between traditional defense procurement approaches and emerging views about warfare's future.

Several key questions face policymakers:

CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
1. Can manned fighters remain relevant in an era of drone warfare?
2. Is the F-35's stealth capability worth its astronomical cost?
3. Should the Pentagon continue investing in a program plagued by persistent issues?
4. What are the national security implications of scaling back F-35 procurement?
5. How would reduced orders affect the program's per-unit costs and economic benefits?

For investors and defense contractors, the controversy signals potential volatility in future procurement decisions.

While immediate cancellation seems unlikely given the program's massive scale and international commitments, the critique from influential Trump allies suggests the possibility of scaled-back orders or redirected priorities toward unmanned systems and other emerging technologies.

Looking Forward

As the debate over the F-35's future continues, Lockheed Martin faces the challenge of addressing both technical concerns and mounting political pressure.

The company's strategy of upgrading the existing platform may prove crucial to maintaining the program's relevance amid shifting defense priorities.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon's ongoing struggle to account for the program's vast inventory of parts and equipment will remain a focal point for those concerned about fiscal responsibility in defense spending.

Secretary Hegseth's commitment to achieving a clean audit by 2028 will likely keep pressure on program managers to improve accountability and transparency.

What remains clear is that the F-35, once touted as the cornerstone of Western air power for decades to come, now faces its most significant challenges yet-not just from adversaries abroad, but from critics within the very administration that will determine its future.