U.S. Representative Thomas Massie said the U.S. defense industry benefits most from ongoing conflicts, arguing that military spending continues regardless of which party controls the presidency.
“There’s only one group that’s clearly winning in this war… the Military Industrial Complex. Here’s my $50 billion theory on why we never have peace, regardless of who’s President,” Massie wrote in a post on social media on Tuesday.
The post included a video clip from a June 24, 2025 episode of the podcast This Past Weekend with Theo Von, in which Massie discussed U.S. war spending with host Theo Von.
In the clip, Massie said some companies profit from war and want military operations to continue. He pointed to what he described as a recurring pattern in U.S. spending following major conflicts.
“As soon as, you know, Biden was serious about getting out of Afghanistan and did get us out of Afghanistan, we were still spending $50 billion a year in Afghanistan after 20 years,” Massie said in the interview. “As soon as he got us out of there, guess what? We start spending an average of $50 billion a year in Ukraine.”
There’s only one group that’s clearly winning in this war… the Military Industrial Complex. Here’s my $50 billion theory on why we never have peace, regardless of who’s President.@TheoVon @YALiberty pic.twitter.com/8xYuaAcvnC
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 3, 2026
Massie said that as the war in Ukraine wound down, conflict with Iran intensified, creating continued demand for U.S.-made weapons. He said the use of American munitions leads to the need to replenish stockpiles, which benefits arms manufacturers.
“Regardless of whether our troops engage directly, those are all American munitions,” Massie said. “As soon as we deplete our stockpiles, we’re going to have to fill them back up.”
He described his “$50 billion theory” as the idea that roughly $50 billion in weapons must be destroyed and replaced each year for that segment of the economy to remain active. “I have this theory that there’s about $50 billion a year of things that need to get blown up and replaced in order for that segment of the economy to stay healthy,” Massie said.
Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, has frequently criticized both major parties over federal spending and U.S. military involvement abroad. He has opposed large defense budgets and foreign interventions, arguing they contribute to national debt and prolonged overseas commitments.
The comments come as the United States and Israeli launch military operations against Iran. The White House has said recent actions are intended to counter Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and protect U.S. and allied forces.
Defense contractors have not responded publicly to Massie’s remarks.