Mystery Donor Gives $130 Million to Pentagon Amid Shutdown

The Pentagon confirmed Friday that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation. To help offset the cost of troops’ salaries and benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

The Defense Department accepted the donation under its “general gift acceptance authority” on Thursday. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement.

“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,” Parnell stated.

President Donald Trump announced the donation during remarks at the White House on Thursday. Saying the contribution came from a “patriot” and “friend of mine” who wished to remain anonymous.

“He called us the other day, and he said, ‘I’d like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown. I’d like to contribute, personally contribute, any shortfall you have with the military. As I love the military and I love the country.’ And today, he sent us a check for $130 million,” Trump said.

A spokesman for Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, raised concerns about the anonymity of the donation.

“Using anonymous donations to fund our military raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers,” the spokesman said.

Despite the large sum, the $130 million donation will barely make a dent in the billions of dollars needed to pay troops every two weeks. According to American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Todd Harrison, basic pay and allowances for service members amount to about $6.5 billion per pay cycle.

The Senate on Thursday failed to advance a GOP bill aimed at paying active-duty service members. Also, essential federal workers amid the shutdown. Democrats introduced an alternative measure to pay all federal employees affected by the closure. But that effort also failed.

With no end to the shutdown in sight, the source of the remaining $6.37 billion required to meet the next payroll remains uncertain. Earlier this month, on October 11, President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use $8 billion in unobligated funds from the Pentagon’s research and development account to cover troop pay for mid-October.

As troops continue to perform essential duties under financial strain, discussions around military readiness and morale have become increasingly relevant. In the field, service members rely heavily on durable and functional gear like the 5.11 Tactical Backpack Rush 72 2.0, Military Molle Pack (55L). Designed for efficiency and endurance during extended operations. Such equipment, much like steady pay, remains vital for maintaining preparedness in uncertain times.

The Defense Department’s acceptance of the anonymous donation underscores the mounting financial pressure facing the government as the shutdown stretches on and essential workers, including troops, continue to operate without guaranteed pay.