Trump threatens to cut off Pentagon purchases from Raytheon

President Donald Trump on Wednesday slammed defense contractors, particularly Raytheon, for profiting from weapons contracts by buying back stock for top corporate officers.

Posting on Truth Social, his social media site, Trump said the companies should be speeding up weapons production and investing in their facilities rather than paying dividends or rewarding executives.

“Defense Companies are not producing our Great Military Equipment rapidly enough and, once produced, not maintaining it properly or quickly,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Neither the White House nor Department of Defense responded to requests for more information.

Trump’s initial post, which came as the stock market was closing on the East Coast, sent defense stocks lower.

Trump singled out RTX, the parent company of Raytheon based in Arlington, Va., for criticism, threatening to cut off Pentagon purchases.

“I have been informed by the Department of War that Defense Contractor, Raytheon, has been the least responsive to the needs of the Department of War.,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Either Raytheon steps up, and starts investing in more upfront Investment like Plants and Equipment, or they will no longer be doing business with Department of War.”

Trump criticized defense contractors for allowing executives to buy back stock at higher levels in order to profit from military sales.

“Also, if Raytheon wants further business with the United States Government, under no circumstances will they be allowed to do any additional Stock Buybacks, where they have spent Tens of Billions of Dollars, until they are able to get their act together,” he said in his post.

RTX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Shares of Northrop Grumman fell 5.5%, Lockheed Martin fell 4.8%, and General Dynamics fell 3.6% during afternoon trading in New York. Raytheon fell 2%.

Raytheon in August 2025 signed a 20-year, $50 billion contract to “sustain” the Patriot anti-missile program. The company also makes Standard Missiles used on U.S. Navy ships, AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missiles, and portions of the Tomahawk cruise missile. In addition to the U.S., Raytheon has sold weapons systems around the world.

RTX also owns aircraft engine maker Pratt & Whitney, which makes engines for many military aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.