The Pentagon has accepted an unprecedented $130 million donation from an unnamed individual described by President Donald Trump as a “great gentleman” and “big supporter” to help fund military pay amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now stretching into its 25th day.
The donation, confirmed by defense officials late Friday, represents one of the largest private gifts ever made to the Department of Defense and has sparked a fierce debate in Washington over ethics, transparency, and the potential influence of private money on the U.S. military.
A Private Bailout for Public Servants
According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the funds were accepted under the department’s “general gift acceptance authority,” which permits donations to support certain operational expenses. The donor reportedly stipulated that the money be used specifically to offset service members’ salaries and benefits, a stopgap measure as the shutdown delays federal disbursements.
“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members’ salaries and benefits,” Parnell told reporters. “The funds are being distributed to ensure that our armed forces continue to be paid while the funding impasse continues.”
The contribution — roughly $100 per service member — comes as the administration struggles to secure funding from Congress. Last week, the White House redirected $8 billion from military research accounts to cover paychecks, but those funds are expected to run out by the next military payday on Oct. 31.
Trump: ‘A Patriot Who Doesn’t Want Publicity’
President Trump, speaking to reporters before departing for Asia on Saturday, praised the donor as a “patriot” and “wonderful man” who “doesn’t want recognition.”
“He prefers that his name not be mentioned, which is pretty unusual in the world I come from,” Trump said. “In politics, people usually want credit. But he put up $130 million in order to make sure the military got paid, and he’s a big supporter of mine.”
Trump declined to identify the individual but emphasized that the donor is a U.S. citizen and a long-time friend. “He’s a great gentleman and a tremendous supporter of the country,” the president added.
The announcement came shortly before Trump left for his five-day Asia trip, which includes stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, where he will attend the ASEAN and APEC summits and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
An Unprecedented Gesture — and Growing Scrutiny
While the Department of Defense has accepted private gifts in the past, they are typically targeted donations for infrastructure projects such as military schools, hospitals, or memorials — not for personnel pay. Defense experts say this donation appears to be without precedent in modern history.
“This is extraordinary,” said Dr. Kathleen Hicks, a former Pentagon official and now a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Accepting a large, anonymous private donation to fund military salaries introduces significant ethical and legal risks. The U.S. military should never be in a position where its operations or pay depend on the generosity of private citizens.”
Under Pentagon regulations, all donations exceeding $10,000 must undergo an ethics review to determine whether the donor has any current business, legal, or procurement interests with the Department of Defense. Additional scrutiny applies if the donor is not an American citizen or if the funds could create a conflict of interest.
Critics have questioned whether the anonymous nature of the donation could conceal foreign influence.
“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,” said Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), ranking member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
Shutdown Fallout and Political Repercussions
The donation comes as the U.S. government shutdown, now in its fourth week, has furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal workers and forced others — including essential military personnel — to work without pay.
With Congress deadlocked over a funding deal, the Trump administration has sought temporary measures to limit disruption to critical functions, including military readiness and border operations. However, reliance on private donations to sustain government payrolls is highly unusual and could set a controversial precedent.
The White House defended the Pentagon’s decision, arguing that the donation reflects the “generosity and patriotism” of American citizens.
“This is an example of Americans stepping up when Congress fails to act,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Saturday. “The president appreciates the support and remains committed to ensuring that our troops are taken care of.”
Nonetheless, Democrats and watchdog groups are demanding transparency about the donor’s identity and any potential ties to defense contractors, political groups, or foreign entities.
“The American people deserve to know who is paying our troops’ salaries,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “If the Pentagon is accepting private money in place of congressional appropriations, that’s a fundamental breakdown in the separation between public service and private influence.”
Historical Context and Legal Boundaries
According to Pentagon policy documents, donations under the 10 U.S. Code § 2601 provision — the Department’s general gift acceptance authority — are legal but subject to stringent oversight to prevent misuse or conflicts. Typically, such gifts must be reviewed by the Defense Ethics Counsel and approved by senior officials.
A former Department of Defense ethics lawyer, Robert Litt, warned that even if technically permissible, the optics are deeply problematic.
“If the U.S. military becomes dependent on private money during political stalemates, it undermines the very principle of civilian control over the armed forces,” Litt said. “This is why appropriations are the responsibility of Congress — not billionaires, not presidents’ friends.”
The Road Ahead
It remains unclear how the $130 million will be allocated or whether the Pentagon will disclose the donor’s identity in official financial records. Transparency advocates have urged Congress to open an investigation and consider legislation to restrict the acceptance of large anonymous donations to government entities.
Meanwhile, the looming Oct. 31 military payday continues to cast uncertainty. Without congressional action, even the anonymous donation may only serve as a temporary relief measure for the nation’s 1.32 million active-duty service members.
For now, the gift underscores the extraordinary circumstances of a government operating under shutdown conditions — and the increasingly blurred lines between private wealth and public governance in an era of political paralysis.
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