On Friday, the Department of Defense revealed it accepted a substantial $130 million in anonymous donations to ensure military personnel receive their salaries amid the ongoing government shutdown. This move is quite unusual, raising some legal questions.
President Trump made the announcement the previous day, explaining that he was sending these funds to offset what he referred to as the “Democratic shutdown,” a term he attributed to a “friend.” He noted that the donor, whose identity remains undisclosed, has a passion for the military and country, but preferred to stay out of the spotlight.
“On October 23, 2025, the Department of the Army received an anonymous gift of $130 million under the General Gift Receipt Authority,” stated Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
According to Parnell, this donation was specifically designated to cover military pay and benefits. He expressed gratitude for the donor’s generosity, particularly since, as he mentioned, Democrats have opted to withhold pay from military members.
This donation arrives as millions of federal workers are facing delayed paychecks and closures, marking the 24th day of the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
However, legal experts cautioned that spending these funds might require Congressional approval. Romina Boccia from the Cato Institute pointed out that despite the donation, the legal constraints remain unchanged regarding Congressional appropriation for military salaries.
Boccia emphasized that current laws limit the military to accepting private donations only for specific purposes like supporting educational institutions or aiding injured service members. She added, “To bypass this limitation, Congress would need to classify military salaries as mandatory spending.”
The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to manage federal funds, which includes approving expenditures for payrolls.
A defense official confirmed the donation was accepted through the department’s general gift authority but did not clarify whether the donor was a U.S. citizen or a foreign national.
Under Pentagon ethics guidelines, any donations exceeding $10,000 face scrutiny to ensure the donor’s interests aren’t adversely impacted by their contribution. Non-U.S. donations are subject to even more careful review.
Todd Harrison, a budget analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, remarked on the significance of the donation, indicating it reflects the seriousness of the situation. The White House estimates that around $6.5 billion is necessary to cover military salaries for just the first half of October, implying that the $130 million would only address about a third of a day’s pay.
Trump explained the donor’s intention was to “make up for the shortfall” triggered by the Democratic Party’s failure to agree on a spending measure. He recounted a conversation where the donor expressed their love for the military and the country, leading to their decision to contribute.
Questions regarding the funding were directed toward the Department of Defense and the Treasury Department, which, at this time, have not provided further comments.
