Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous War Profiteers

For the first time, Pentagon spending surpassed the $1 trillion mark, and private contractors now receive more than half of the federal funds allocated to the defense department. While these companies claim to support the troops, in reality, many service members endure subpar housing conditions, while the profits of military-industrial corporations continue to climb, and their CEOs enjoy lavish lifestyles.

The documentary "Lords of War," a joint production by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and The Intercept, exposes the extravagant nature of these CEOs' wealth. Lockheed Martin, for example, is consistently the Pentagon's largest recipient, generating an astounding $75 billion in revenue in 2025, with more than 72 percent of that coming from the U.S. government.

The film's mockumentary style showcases how these CEOs' $20-million-plus compensation packages have allowed them to acquire luxury real estate, from the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to the shores of Miami.

Despite the film's lighthearted tone, it brings to light the critical issues within the military-industrial complex. Research conducted by William Hartung and Stephen Semler for Brown University's Costs of War Project reveals that 54 percent of the Pentagon's annual budget now goes to private contractors, a significant increase from 41 percent in the 1990s.

Consequently, the top Pentagon contractors' revenues and stock prices have skyrocketed, converting their military earnings into their own corporate budgets to fund lobbyists, stock buybacks, and excessive CEO compensation, which often surpasses what NFL quarterbacks earn.

The film highlights the stark contrast between the wealth of these CEOs and the living conditions of the very service members they claim to serve. For instance, former Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson received $33.7 million in compensation in 2015, which is more than 150 times the average compensation for an enlisted military member.

While these CEOs have been purchasing mansions like Lenny Kravitz's Miami home, the basic pay for service members has remained relatively stagnant for the past two decades, when adjusted for inflation. Furthermore, living conditions for service members have deteriorated, with two-thirds of them believing their housing is unaffordable, and many facing long commutes, separation from families, and having to work multiple jobs to maintain housing affordability.

The report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) of 2024 found that service members often endure dangerous living conditions, including lead exposure that impacts newborn health, severe mold contamination leading to emergency room visits, flooding in living areas, and more. Additionally, a Senate investigation in July 2026 exposed hazardous living conditions at military bases in Georgia, including lead exposure affecting newborn health, severe mold contamination resulting in emergency room visits, flooding in living areas, and more.

Ultimately, the private firms entrusted with U.S. national security are more focused on protecting their own stock prices than defending the nation. As "Lords of War" famously shows, the private corporations we rely on to safeguard our safety are, in fact, more concerned with their own financial interests than the welfare of the military personnel they purport to serve.