Anonymous Donor Revealed as Timothy Mellon
A reclusive billionaire, Timothy Mellon, has been identified as the anonymous donor who contributed $130 million to the Pentagon to support military pay during the recent government shutdown, according to reports.
President Donald Trump announced the donation on Thursday but chose not to disclose who the donor was, referring to them only as “patriots” and friends. During a conversation with reporters aboard an Air Force plane after leaving Washington for Asia, Trump reiterated his decision not to name the individual, describing him as a “great American citizen” and a “person of substance.”
“He doesn’t want publicity,” Trump remarked, noting that it’s somewhat unusual for someone in his world to seek anonymity in such matters, while also implying that those in politics often prefer their names to be known.
However, sources familiar with the situation told the New York Times that the donor is indeed Mellon, who is known for his wealth as a banking heir and railroad tycoon.
Funding Soldiers’ Pay
It’s currently unclear how long this donation will be able to cover the salaries of military personnel. The Congressional Budget Office has indicated that the Trump administration’s budget for 2025 projects approximately $600 billion in military compensation, meaning this $130 million could only provide about $100 for each service member.
Mellon, who is the grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon, has a history of supporting Trump, contributing tens of millions towards initiatives backing his 2024 presidential campaign. Last year, for instance, he made a notable $50 million donation to a pro-Trump super PAC.
Once not considered a major player in Republican funding, Mellon has substantially increased his political contributions since Trump’s election in 2016. He has also supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, who ran for president in 2024 before switching his support to Trump.
Despite his high-profile donations, Mellon has maintained a relatively low public profile.
Political Landscape
Mellon’s political involvement extends beyond just the Trump campaign; he has backed Kennedy’s presidential run and his anti-vaccine nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense.
In his 2015 autobiography, Mellon shared insights about his political evolution, noting he once identified as a liberal but later relocated to Wyoming in search of lower taxes and a less crowded environment.
The Department of Defense confirmed it accepted the donation under its “General Gift Receiving Authority,” with a stipulation that the funds be used to help cover military pay and benefits. However, there’s some debate about whether this donation could breach the Anti-Deficiency Act, which restricts federal agencies from spending beyond Congressional allocations.
