President Donald Trump has announced the acceptance of a substantial donation aimed at supporting United States military personnel. On October 23, 2025, an anonymous donor provided $130 million to offset the salaries and benefits of service members affected by the ongoing government shutdown. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the contribution, which was accepted under the Department of War's general gift acceptance authority.
The shutdown, which is now in its 24th day, has stalled various government operations, including the payment of military personnel. The Trump administration has taken measures to ensure that service members continue to receive their salaries, with the President himself revealing that the funds were offered by a "friend" who wished to address the pay shortfall resulting from what he referred to as the "Democrat shutdown."
The legality of directly using donated funds for military pay is currently under scrutiny. The Daily Mail reports that while the Pentagon can accept general donations, the appropriation of these funds towards federal employee salaries must be sanctioned by Congress. Romina Boccia of the Cato Institute elaborated on the necessity of congressional approval for the allocation of such donations to specific expenditures.
Additionally, the Department of Defense maintains rules requiring an ethics review for donations exceeding $10,000 that are intended to support service members or their families. This review ensures that the donor does not hold substantial interests that could potentially influence the military or government. Furthermore, donations from foreign entities are subjected to even more stringent scrutiny.
The donation has sparked a debate on the appropriateness of private contributions covering government responsibilities. Max Stier from the Partnership for Public Service likened the situation to someone settling a bar tab and called for greater transparency concerning the donation's legality.
Senate Republicans, in response to the shutdown, proposed a plan to continue paying active-duty service members and other federal workers. However, this plan encountered opposition from most Democrats, who argued that it neglected furloughed employees. As the deadlock in Congress persists, the concern for ensuring payment to service members remains a priority for legislators across party lines.
Last week, in an effort to maintain military payroll, the Trump administration reallocated $8 billion from military research and development funds. With uncertainty looming over whether similar fund shifts will occur in the upcoming week, the $130 million donation underscores President Trump's commitment to sustaining military compensation amidst the political impasse.
The White House has yet to detail how this private donation will be integrated within the federal treasury. The generous contribution, however, has been highlighted by Trump as an act of patriotism, a sentiment echoed in a tweet from The Patriot Oasis, celebrating the donor's support for the military during trying times.
