An undisclosed donor has contributed $130 million to the Pentagon to assist in paying U.S. troops during the ongoing government shutdown, sparking ethical debates. President Donald Trump confirmed the donation, emphasizing that it would help cover the salaries of the nation’s 1.32 million service members, but he declined to reveal the donor’s identity. Trump described the benefactor as a ‘great gentleman,’ ‘patriot,’ and ‘big supporter,’ who prefers anonymity. The government shutdown, now in its 25th day, is on track to become one of the longest in U.S. history. Last week, the Trump administration managed to pay troops by reallocating $8 billion from military research, but the funding for the next payday on October 31 remains uncertain. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the donation was made with the condition that it be used exclusively for service members’ salaries and benefits, and it was accepted under the department’s ‘general gift acceptance authority.’ Critics, including Delaware Senator Chris Coons, have raised concerns about the potential risks of accepting anonymous funds, questioning whether foreign powers could influence the military. Defense department rules require donations over $10,000 to undergo ethical review, with additional scrutiny for non-U.S. citizens. While the Pentagon occasionally accepts donations for specific projects like schools or hospitals, this large, anonymous contribution has drawn significant attention and skepticism.
Mystery donor gives $130m to US military for paying troops during shutdown
