An undisclosed donor has pledged $130 million (£100 million) to the Pentagon to assist with paying U.S. troops amid the ongoing government shutdown. U.S. defense officials confirmed the donation, which was acknowledged by President Trump as a means to address pay shortfalls for approximately 1.32 million service members. However, the identity of the donor remains unknown, although Trump mentioned that he is a supporter of his administration and a U.S. citizen.
The shutdown began over three weeks ago when lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement. Last week, the administration managed to pay military personnel by reallocating $8 billion from research funds, but future paychecks for the troops, scheduled for October 31, remain uncertain. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the military would likely be able to address pay issues beginning in November, but he expressed concern over potential delays.
The donation is said to be used specifically for covering salaries and benefits for service members, and it was approved under the Pentagon’s general gift acceptance rules. The New York Times reports that the donor is Timothy Mellon, a billionaire and significant Trump supporter known for his inherited wealth and prior involvement in the railway industry. Trump described the donor as a “great gentleman” who preferred to remain anonymous.
Typically, donations exceeding $10,000 require review by ethics officials to ensure no conflicts of interest exist, especially if the donor is not a U.S. citizen. While the Pentagon occasionally accepts gifts, these funds usually support specific projects rather than direct personnel salaries. Critics, including Senator Chris Coons, have raised ethical concerns about the implications of anonymous donations, questioning the risks they pose to troops’ independence and security.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c891p1pez42o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss