In the midst of an ongoing federal government shutdown, a private individual contributed an anonymous $130 million to the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to help cover active-duty military salaries. The donor, described by Donald Trump as “a friend of mine,” reportedly requested the funds be used specifically for service-member pay and benefits.
The Pentagon accepted the contribution under its general gift-acceptance authority, acknowledging the donation and labelling it a patriotic gesture. Despite the receipt of funds, DoD officials noted that the donation will cover only a small fraction of the roughly $6.5 billion required for the mid-month payroll. With the shutdown unresolved, congressional leaders warn that the military’s next pay cycle still faces risk.
The move has sparked debate about its legality, as federal law grants Congress exclusive authority to appropriate funds for federal employee salaries. Budget experts caution that accepting private donations for troop pay without congressional authorization may violate the Anti-Deficiency Act, which prohibits agencies from obligating or spending funds not appropriated by law.
As the shutdown drags on, the donation underscores both the financial strain on the defense budget and the growing pressure on lawmakers to reach a funding agreement—or face further disruption to military compensation.