Fact-check: “The US spends more on its military than the next 10 countries combined”
Verdict: False (85% confidence)
SIPRI's most recent data — the April 2026 revised edition covering 2025 spending — puts the US at $954 billion and the next 10 countries combined at roughly $1.17 trillion, meaning the US does NOT outspend the next 10 combined. The claim was closer to accurate in earlier years and with smaller groupings: SIPRI-based analyses show the US exceeds the next 6 or 7 countries combined in 2025, but not the next 10. The 'next 10' formulation continues to circulate widely but relies on older or imprecis…
This fact-check was conducted by SpinkillerAI, a non-partisan AI-powered accountability platform.
Related fact-checks
- Everything Trump wants to do causes inflation — Misleading
- Kennedy Center warns of bankruptcy unless Trump's name Is added. — Mostly True
- China develops oil refining method that may cut energy use by 90%. — Mostly True
- Apple is reportedly working on iPhone game controllers. — Mostly True
- The EPA will remove limits on climate pollution from power plants. — Mostly True