Pentagon confirms anonymous $130 million donation from Trump ‘friend’ to pay troops

The Pentagon has confirmed that it received an anonymous $130 million donation to help pay troops during the ongoing government shutdown.

The confirmation Friday from the Defense Department, which President Trump has given the secondary name “War Department,” came one day after the president said a wealthy “friend of mine” volunteered to cover any financial shortfalls and make sure troops get their paychecks.

Neither the Pentagon nor Mr. Trump identified the individual.

“On Oct. 23, 2025, the Department of War accepted an anonymous donation of $130 million under its general gift acceptance authority,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. “The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members’ salaries and benefits. We are grateful for this donor’s assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops.”

Mr. Trump first revealed the anonymous gift during remarks at a White House meeting on Thursday. He said the donation was coming from a “friend of mine” who wished not to be identified — though the president did identify him as a man.

“He called us the other day and he said, ’I’d like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown … because I love the military and I love the country,’” Mr. Trump said.

The use of a private donation to pay U.S. service members’ salaries is highly unusual, if not unprecedented, at least in recent history.

The donation is likely to raise legal questions about whether it is a violation of the federal Antideficiency Act.

The act prohibits federal agencies from obligating or expending federal funds in advance or in excess of an appropriation, and from accepting voluntary services, according to a summary on the Government Accountability Office website.

The government has been in a shutdown since Oct. 1, with Senate Democrats filibustering GOP efforts to keep the government open. Democrats are demanding an extension of expanded health care subsidies that are due to expire at the end of the year, while Mr. Trump and some congressional Republicans say they won’t negotiate such matters until the government reopens.