Anonymous Donor Gives $130 Million to Pentagon to Cover Military Pay During Shutdown
Key Facts
- The Pentagon confirmed receiving an anonymous $130 million donation to help pay U.S. military personnel during the ongoing government shutdown.
- President Donald Trump said the donation came from a “wealthy friend” who wanted to support the military during the funding lapse.
- The Department of War, renamed by Trump, accepted the funds under its general gift acceptance authority on October 23, 2025.
- Legal experts warned that the gift could raise questions under the Antideficiency Act, which restricts unauthorized government expenditures.
by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
WASHINGTON D.C. (Worthy News) – The Pentagon confirmed Friday that it received an extraordinary anonymous donation of $130 million to help pay U.S. service members’ salaries during the ongoing government shutdown — a move President Donald J. Trump hailed as an act of patriotism.
President Trump first revealed the donation earlier this month, saying a “wealthy friend” had stepped forward to ensure that military paychecks would continue even as the federal government remains partially shuttered.
“A friend of mine, a man that’s great — I’m not gonna use his name unless he lets me do it … He called us the other day and said, ‘I’d like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown, because I love the military and I love the country,’” Trump said Friday at the White House.
The president declined to identify the donor but praised him as a “true patriot.” “He doesn’t really want the recognition, if you want to know the truth,” Trump added. “That’s what I call a patriot.”
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that “on Oct. 23, 2025, the Department of War accepted an anonymous donation of $130 million under its general gift acceptance authority.”
He said the donation was made “on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members’ salaries and benefits. We are grateful for this donor’s assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops.”
The contribution follows a presidential memorandum signed earlier this month directing the Department of War to use emergency funds to temporarily compensate troops while congressional negotiations remain stalled.
The use of a private donation to pay military salaries is believed to be unprecedented in modern U.S. history. Financial and legal experts say the move raises questions about compliance with federal law — particularly the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits agencies from accepting voluntary services or expending funds beyond congressional authorization.
“Under Pentagon ethics rules, gifts above $10,000 must undergo strict vetting to avoid conflicts of interest,” said budget analyst Todd Harrison of the American Enterprise Institute. “Even with $130 million, that amount would only cover roughly one-third of one day of payroll for active-duty personnel.”
The shutdown, now in its fourth week, began October 1 after Senate Democrats blocked a continuing resolution to fund the government, insisting on including extended Obamacare subsidies as part of any deal.
Despite legal scrutiny, Trump praised the anonymous donor’s gesture as symbolic of national unity. “At a time when Washington is divided, this shows the heart of America — people who love this country and stand by those who defend it,” he said.
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