Department of War receives $130 million from mystery donor to cover troop salaries during shutdown

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The Pentagon stated Friday it accepted an nameless $130 million donation to assist cowl army paychecks throughout the federal government shutdown — an unprecedented transfer that has sparked questions over its legality.

President Trump introduced the present Thursday, telling supporters that “a pal” despatched a verify to make up for what he referred to as a “Democrat shutdown.”

He stated the donor, whom he didn't title, “loves the army and loves the nation” and needed no recognition.

President Donald Trump stated an nameless donor “pal” gave $130 million to assist cowl soldier salaries throughout the federal government shutdown. ZUMAPRESS.com

“On Oct. 23, 2025, the Division of Warfare accepted an nameless donation of $130 million underneath its common present acceptance authority,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated in a press release.

“The donation was made on the situation that it's used to offset the price of service members’ salaries and advantages. We're grateful for this donor’s help after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops.”

The contribution got here as tens of millions of federal staff face missed checks and shuttered places of work on day 24 of the partial authorities shutdown — the second-longest in US historical past.

However specialists warned that the administration could not be capable of legally disburse the cash with out congressional approval.

“The division is welcome to acknowledge this donor’s intent, however that doesn't change the authorized restrictions on Congress needing to acceptable funds to pay army salaries,” Romina Boccia, director of finances and entitlement coverage on the libertarian Cato Institute, advised Fox Information Digital.

The president stated the donor, whom he didn't title, “loves the army and loves the nation” and needed no recognition. Kyle Mazza/UNF Information/CNP/INSTARimages

Boccia stated present legislation solely permits the army to just accept personal presents for restricted functions, reminiscent of funding faculties, libraries, or amenities, or serving to troops injured or killed within the line of responsibility.

“The one option to get round this restriction is that if Congress determined to recategorize troop pay as necessary or direct spending,” she stated.

Article I of the US Structure offers Congress the ability of the purse — together with the authority to allocate cash for federal salaries.

Protection officers confirmed that the division accepted the donation “underneath its common present acceptance authority,” however declined to say whether or not the donor was an American citizen or a overseas nationwide.

An indication advertises that WIC and Meals Stamps are accepted at a comfort retailer in Chelsea, Mass., as tens of tens of millions of People may not obtain meals stamps and different meals help in November due to the federal government shutdown. REUTERS

Underneath Pentagon ethics guidelines, presents above $10,000 have to be vetted to make sure the donor doesn't have pursuits “considerably affected” by the present, and non-US donors face added scrutiny.

Finances analyst Todd Harrison of the American Enterprise Institute advised Politico that the size of the donation highlighted how far the disaster had gone.

Protecting army pay for the primary half of October value about $6.5 billion, based on the White Home.

Harrison stated that primarily based on that determine, the $130 million present would solely cowl about one-third of sooner or later’s pay.

“On Oct. 23, 2025, the Division of Warfare accepted an nameless donation of $130 million underneath its common present acceptance authority,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated in a press release. Sipa USA through AP

Trump advised supporters that the donor’s $130 million verify was meant to “contribute any shortfall” attributable to Democrats refusing to move a spending invoice.

“He referred to as us and stated, ‘I’d wish to contribute personally as a result of I really like the army and I really like the nation,’” Trump stated.