In May 2025, former U.S. government official Catherine Austin Fitts made headlines with her claim that the federal government had secretly constructed a vast network of underground cities, costing approximately $21 trillion, intended to shelter the ultra-wealthy and high-ranking officials during a potential near-extinction event. Fitts, who served as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush, shared these allegations during an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Fitts based her claims on a 2017 report by Michigan State University economist Mark Skidmore, which identified $21 trillion in “unauthorized spending” by the Departments of Defense and Housing and Urban Development between 1998 and 2015. She suggested that this unaccounted-for expenditure was used to build approximately 170 underground facilities across the United States, some allegedly located beneath the ocean. These facilities are purportedly connected by a secret transportation network and powered by undisclosed energy technologies.
The U.S. government has a history of constructing underground facilities for emergency use. Notable examples include the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado and the Raven Rock Mountain Complex in Pennsylvania, both designed during the Cold War to serve as command centers in the event of a nuclear attack. Additionally, the White House is connected to the Treasury Building via a tunnel constructed in 1941 to facilitate presidential evacuation during emergencies.
Fitts’ assertions have been met with skepticism due to the lack of concrete evidence. While the existence of some underground government facilities is documented, the scale and secrecy of the alleged $21 trillion network raise questions. Critics point out that Fitts has previously made controversial claims, including conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccine and global mind-control efforts, which may undermine her credibility.
If Fitts’ claims were substantiated, they would suggest a significant misallocation of taxpayer funds and a lack of transparency in government operations. The idea of exclusive shelters for the elite during catastrophic events also raises ethical concerns about inequality and access to survival resources.
While the U.S. government has constructed underground facilities for emergency preparedness, the existence of a $21 trillion network of secret bunkers for the wealthy remains unproven. Fitts’ allegations highlight the importance of governmental transparency and accountability, especially concerning large-scale expenditures and emergency planning.
