Pentagon to use $130 million donation from Trump's 'ally' to pay military members amid shutdown: Report

The Trump administration will reportedly use a $130 million donation from an anonymous ally of President Donald Trump to pay military service members during the government shutdown.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN, “The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members’ salaries and benefits," adding that the amount was accepted under the department’s “general gift acceptance authority.”

The move represents a sharp departure from the standard government process for financing the military, which typically relies on public funds approved by Congress. It also immediately sparked questions about who the donor is and what motivated them to contribute a nine-figure sum to the government.

However, the $130 million donation is unlikely to be enough to pay a workforce of roughly 1.3 million active-duty military troops, netting out to about $100 per service member.

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Meanwhile, Congress members from both Democratic and Republican sides have sought more information on the donation from the administration, but have yet to receive a reply.

Democrats also questioned the legality of the move, arguing that the gift acceptance authority referenced by the Pentagon allows donations only for limited purposes, such as supporting military schools, hospitals, or cemeteries, or aiding wounded service members and the families of those injured or killed in action. They further noted that donations from foreign governments or organisations are subject to even stricter rules and limitations.

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, said, “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.”

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Speaking about the donation, Trump said it has come from a “friend of mine” who wants to cover the military shortfall. He did not reveal the identity of the donor, saying that “he doesn’t really want the recognition.