The secret billionaire who paid US troops during the shutdown

October 27, 2025

An anti-tax crusader and longtime supporter of Donald Trump has been revealed as the anonymous donor who gave $130 million to the US government to pay military salaries during the federal shutdown. According to The New York Times, Timothy Mellon, heir to the Mellon industrial fortune and grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, was the private citizen behind the unprecedented contribution.

Trump had announced the donation on Thursday, describing the benefactor as a “dear friend,” “great American,” and “patriot,” but declined to reveal his name. Two senior officials later confirmed Mellon’s identity to The New York Times, shedding light on one of the most unusual episodes in recent political history.

The donation came amid mounting concerns over the financial hardship faced by thousands of federal employees affected by the shutdown, now in its fourth week. Standing before reporters, Trump praised the act but added that the donor “doesn’t want publicity” and “prefers his name not be mentioned,” calling the gesture rare in the political world.

The Pentagon said the $130 million contribution was accepted under its “general gift acceptance authority.” The funds were directed to offset the cost of salaries and benefits for US service members. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the arrangement, saying the donation had been made “on the condition that it be used to support military pay.”

However, legal experts and government officials have raised questions about the legitimacy of such a gift. The transaction may conflict with the Antideficiency Act, a federal law that prevents agencies from spending money in advance of or beyond congressional appropriations. The act also bars the government from accepting voluntary services, except in cases of emergency involving human life or property. Critics argue that Mellon’s donation could blur the lines between private wealth and public accountability, setting a dangerous precedent for federal funding during political gridlock.

Timothy Mellon, now 80, is known for his deep pockets and staunch conservative beliefs. A reclusive businessman, he has long championed limited government and lower taxes. His political giving has surged in recent years, making him one of the most influential financiers in Republican politics.

During the 2024 election cycle, Mellon donated a total of $165 million to support Trump, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other Republican contenders. According to campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets, this made him the largest individual donor fueling outside spending groups last year.

Mellon also funded Kennedy’s controversial organization, Children’s Health Defense, which has been criticized for spreading misinformation about vaccines. Despite his growing role in national politics, Mellon has kept a low profile, rarely giving interviews and living mostly in Wyoming.

His entry into high-value political donations began modestly. In 2016, when Trump first ran for president, Mellon contributed just $32,000. That amount soared to $10 million later that year and reached $60 million during the 2020 campaign. In a 2020 interview with Bloomberg, Mellon said he believed Trump had fulfilled his campaign promises and defended his record in office.

Mellon has also used his wealth to fund conservative causes beyond electoral politics. In 2021, The Texas Tribune reported that he donated $53 million to a fund launched by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to build a wall along the state’s border with Mexico. The contribution accounted for nearly all of the money raised for the project, underscoring Mellon’s alignment with Trump’s hardline immigration stance.

The Mellon family has been among America’s wealthiest dynasties for over a century. The family fortune dates back to Andrew Mellon, a banker, investor, and industrialist who served as Treasury Secretary from 1921 to 1932. His investments helped shape the rise of major US corporations in banking, oil, and manufacturing.

According to Forbes, the Mellon family’s combined wealth was estimated at $14 billion in 2024. Timothy Mellon’s individual net worth remains unclear, with estimates ranging from $700 million to $4 billion.

Though he has avoided the public spotlight, Mellon’s political footprint has grown steadily. His recent donation to fund US troops—one of the largest private gifts ever made to the federal government—cements his place as a figure whose fortune continues to influence national policy, both in politics and governance.

Yet the legality and ethics of his $130 million contribution remain under scrutiny. As the shutdown drags on and questions mount over the boundaries of private money in public administration, Mellon’s secret gift has reignited debate over who really funds the functioning of government when politics grinds to a halt.