Trump to Use $130 Million From Private Donor to Help Pay Troops Amid Shutdown

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help fund military pay during the ongoing government shutdown — an extraordinary move made under its general gift acceptance authority, which allows private contributions for specified purposes.

“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members’ salaries and benefits,” said Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, in a statement to The New York Times. “We are grateful for this donor’s assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops.”

The contribution covers only a small fraction of what’s needed to maintain the military payroll. According to reporting by Politico, a typical military pay period costs about $6.5 billion, meaning the donation represents less than a day’s worth of pay.

On Thursday, during an event at the White House, President Donald Trump told reporters that a private “friend” had offered the money, calling the donor “a patriot” who “loves our troops” and “wanted to help.”

The decision has prompted questions about whether the move violates the Antideficiency Act — a federal law that bars agencies from spending money beyond what Congress has appropriated, or from accepting voluntary services.

Additionally, under Pentagon policy, any gift exceeding $10,000 that benefits service members or their families must undergo an ethics review. Donations from foreign individuals or entities are subject to additional layers of scrutiny before acceptance. Notably, the Pentagon declined to say whether the donor is an American or a foreign national.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Senate failed to advance a Republican-sponsored bill that would have guaranteed pay for active-duty service members and other federal employees who have continued to work during the shutdown. The bill, the Shutdown Fairness Act of 2025, sponsored by Ron Johnson (R-WI), fell short of the 60 votes required, with a 54-45 vote largely along party lines.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!