Lockheed Martin’s ‘Woke’ F-35 Program: Does Laura Loomer have valid reasoning when she brings attention to Lockheed Martin’s practices?
Introduction: A $2 Trillion Fiasco Under Fire
On April 28, 2025, far-right activist Laura Loomer attacked Lockheed Martin with harsh criticism, calling the defense company “woke” while attacking its $2 trillion F-35 program as a misuse of American taxpayer money.
Business Insider reported that conservatives who interpret the F-35 program as establishment excess share Loomer’s critical stance. JV Political examines her assertions to determine whether they match Trump’s efforts toward efficient defense spending which stands as a fundamental MAGA principle.
Was Lockheed Martin’s DEI rollback from January 2025 sufficient to meet conservative values, or does the F-35’s advanced radar represent mere expensive advertising? We need to examine the source of this controversy to understand its impact on Trump’s approach to defense policy.
Laura Loomer’s Critique: A Wake-Up Call for Lockheed Martin
Calling Out the “Woke” Agenda
Through her X post from April 26, 2025, Laura Loomer openly attacked Lockheed Martin for placing their “woke” agenda before military preparedness.
The company abandoned its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in January 2025 when Trump took back the White House. According to Loomer Lockheed Martin’s DEI focus shifted resources away from engineering excellence resulting in the F-35 program suffering from delays defects and incompetence.
She denounced this program as government and taxpayer WASTE of unimaginable proportions that drains money from our pockets while many conservatives agree it distracts from national security priorities.
The F-35 Program: A $2 Trillion Nightmare?
Loomer criticizes the F-35 program because it stands as the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons initiative at a staggering $2 trillion cost.
The speaker brought attention to confirmed problems including software patch delays, compromised stealth paneling integrity, and US Air Force acceptance of jets lacking operational radar systems.
The Pentagon’s main weapons testing authority highlighted these issues before 2025 which The Times of India reported on. Yet, Lockheed Martin defends the F-35, with a spokesperson telling Business Insider it’s “combat proven” and offers “the most advanced capability and technology.”
But at JV Political, we’re asking: Should the F-35’s capabilities justify its high costs or does Trump need to examine this as a result of establishment waste?
Trump’s Defense Policy: A Push for MAGA Efficiency
Trump’s Vision for Defense Spending
Efficiency in defense spending stands as a fundamental part of Donald Trump’s America-first vision.
During his first presidential term he spoke out against overbudget defense initiatives while promoting a streamlined military which aligns with Loomer’s critique of Lockheed Martin.
The selection made by Trump on March 21, 2025 to award Boeing the F-47 stealth fighter contract instead of Lockheed Martin demonstrates his intent to confront established defense contractors.
The articles at JV Political such as “Trump’s Defense Legacy” explore Trump’s defense priorities by highlighting his emphasis on waste reduction while ensuring military strength.
Loomer’s critique of the F-35 program is consistent with MAGA’s efficiency principles which leads to doubts about Lockheed Martin’s ability to adjust accordingly.
The F-35’s Role in Trump’s Strategy
The US defense strategy continues to rely on the F-35 despite its problems while Lockheed Martin forecasts delivering 170 to 190 planes in 2025.
The Trump administration is prioritizing innovation with its “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative which allows emerging companies like SpaceX and Anduril to advance according to a post by @amitisinvesting on X dated April 17, 2025.
The change in focus indicates President Trump’s decreasing patience with Lockheed Martin’s operational inefficiencies.
The multinational supply chain of the F-35 receives criticism for being un-American unlike the F-47’s domestic production which better suits Trump’s nationalist defense approach. Does Lockheed Martin help advance MAGA goals or stand as a barrier to them?
Lockheed Martin’s elimination of DEI programs may align with MAGA principles.
A Step in the Right Direction?
Lockheed Martin ended its DEI programs in January 2025 because of Trump’s anti-woke initiative. Defense contracting’s meritocracy faced years of conservative criticism which prompted this move.
JV Political regards this development as an alignment process with MAGA values because these values emphasize outcomes rather than ideological commitments.
According to Loomer’s critique years of “woke” policies have already inflicted damage on the F-35 program’s quality.
Loomer’s assertion that the company prioritized DEI at the expense of engineering excellence leads to skepticism about whether this rollback will restore conservative confidence.
A PR Move or Genuine Change?
“X” users including @leobpiveta argue that Lockheed Martin’s DEI rollback serves as a superficial appeasement of the Trump administration instead of representing an authentic realignment of priorities.
The F-35 program suffers from rusting radar-absorbent skin and software delays, and it paid a $29.74 million settlement for defective pricing in February 2025 which shows that Lockheed Martin’s problems extend beyond just DEI.
To truly embody MAGA principles the company must demonstrate real dedication towards operational efficiency and dependable performance instead of merely displaying appearances.
The Trump administration needs to make Lockheed Martin responsible for their actions while ensuring defense contractors focus on national security instead of their own corporate goals.
Is the F-35 Advanced Radar Truly Innovative or Just an Overpriced Marketing Ploy?
Lockheed Martin’s Defense of the F-35
Business Insider reports that Lockheed Martin has declared the F-35’s AN/APG-81 radar the world’s leading system.
According to the manufacturer Lockheed Martin the jet serves as a key asset for 20 allied nations because of its advanced sensor fusion capabilities combined with powerful data-sharing functions and stealth technology.
The F-35 fleet achieved over a million flight hours in 2024 while demonstrating ongoing progress through the addition of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) in March 2025.
According to a Business Insider report from April 23, 2025, CEO Jim Taiclet established a target for the F-35 to achieve 80% capability of sixth-generation fighter aircraft.
The F-35 appears to be an impressive technological achievement based on its specifications—but does it justify its high price tag?
The Cost-Benefit Reality
The F-35’s $2 trillion price tag creates significant doubt about its operational effectiveness. Loomer pointed out issues like the degrading stealth paneling and software upgrade delays which demonstrate that the jet’s advanced radar brings steep financial and operational costs.
Elon Musk, another Trump ally, echoed Loomer’s skepticism on X, arguing that crewed aircraft like the F-35 will be “destroyed instantly by cheap drone swarms.”
While airpower experts have pushed back, saying drone tech isn’t there yet, Musk’s point raises a valid question: Do we need to spend on the F-35’s sophisticated radar capability when less expensive alternatives might become available?
The F-35 program appears to conservatives as needlessly wasteful bureaucracy in contrast to MAGA promised efficiency.
The Bigger Picture: Lockheed Martin’s Role in America’s Future
A Legacy Contractor Under Scrutiny
Lockheed Martin no longer maintains its secure position as the leading defense industry giant.
News from Breaking Defense on April 4, 2025 about Lockheed Martin losing the F-47 contract to Boeing and pulling out of the Navy’s F/A-XX competition prompted Wall Street analysts to downgrade Lockheed Martin stock.
Portugal and other foreign buyers are reviewing their F-35 purchase decisions because of Trump’s doubts about NATO according to Business Insider.
The current circumstances indicate Lockheed Martin needs to make strategic changes to avoid losing its relevance in an America-first defense environment under Trump.
The F-35 program’s problems might become a critical turning point that demands legacy contractors to face their challenges.
What Trump Should Do
The Trump administration possesses an opportunity to improve defense spending. Here’s what we at JV Political recommend:
- Audit Lockheed Martin’s Contracts: Review the F-35 program’s budget excesses and functional problems to protect taxpayer funds from misuse.
- Promote Competition: The administration should back firms like SpaceX and Anduril because they match MAGA’s emphasis on efficient domestic production.
- Demand Accountability: Lockheed Martin should meet greater expectations that require defense contractors to focus on national security needs before pursuing their own corporate objectives.
These actions would strengthen Trump’s defense policy and resolve the worries expressed by Loomer and conservative allies.
Conclusion: Is Laura Loomer Right About Lockheed Martin?
Conservatives find agreement with Laura Loomer’s argument that Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program represents establishment waste through its $2 trillion “woke” initiatives.
The F-35 boasts impressive radar capabilities and functionality yet its excessive costs and persistent problems challenge its value which matches Trump’s demand for more effective defense spending.
The rollback of Lockheed Martin’s DEI policies represents initial progress yet probably falls short of regaining conservative trust. Do you concur with Laura Loomer’s analysis of Lockheed Martin’s progressive agenda?
Join the discussion by leaving your comments below and visit our site to learn more about Trump’s defense legacy as we explore strategies for securing America’s future.
Meta Description: The $2 trillion F-35 program at Lockheed Martin receives criticism from Laura Loomer who calls it “woke.” JV Political analyzes whether Trump’s defense strategy can eliminate wasteful spending.
URL: jvpolitical.com/blog/lockheed-martin-f35-laura-loomer-critique
References:
Business Insider: Laura Loomer from Trump World launched a critique against Lockheed Martin’s ‘Woke’ F-35 program on April 28, 2025.
The Times of India: Laura Loomer criticizes Lockheed Martin’s $2 trillion F-35 program as “woke jets with broken systems”.
Breaking Defense: The uncertain future of the F-35 program combined with NGAD loss results in Lockheed Martin facing Wall Street scrutiny on April 4, 2025.
Business Insider: According to Business Insider Lockheed Martin CEO wants F-35 to reach 80% of F-47 capabilities as of April 23, 2025.
Business Insider: Portugal is reconsidering its purchase of F-35 jets because of Trump’s influence according to Business Insider March 14, 2025.
Reuters: The US reached a settlement with Lockheed Martin regarding accusations of defective pricing on their F-35 contracts as of February 6, 2025.
2 Responses
🚨 BREAKING: Lockheed Martin’s ‘woke’ F-35 program under fire! 🔥✈️ Laura Loomer blasts it — but is she right to call out the military-industrial complex for playing politics? 🧐💥 #LockheedMartin #F35 #WokeMilitary #LauraLoomer #AmericaFirst