Pentagon Accepts $130 Million Anonymous Gift to Help Pay Troops Amid Shutdown
Move comes with fresh legal and ethical questions, may conflict with constitutional limits and federal statutes
The Pentagon confirmed Friday that it has accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help cover military pay during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
President Donald Trump announced the gift at a public event, calling it a patriotic gesture from “a friend” who did not wish to be named. The President said the donor “loves the military and loves the country.”
Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, stated:
“On Oct. 23, 2025, the Department of War accepted an anonymous donation of $130 million under its general gift acceptance authority. 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.”
The announcement came on the same day that 45 Senate Democrats voted against a bill by Senator Ron Johnson to authorize pay for the military and federal employees during the shutdown, thus causing the bill to fail.
The move is highly unusual and comes with fresh legal and ethical questions. Experts warn that paying federal employees—especially in the military—with private funds may conflict with constitutional limits and federal statutes.
Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, told Fox News Digital: “The Department is welcome to acknowledge this donor’s intent, but that does not change the legal restrictions on Congress needing to appropriate funds to pay military salaries.” She added that laws generally allow gifts only for narrow uses like libraries, memorials, or support for injured troops—not regular salaries.
Legal analysts also point to the Anti-Deficiency Act and the Constitution’s Appropriations Clause, which require that government spending come through congressional appropriation. In short: it’s unclear whether the military can legally spend the donated money without Congress acting.
To make up for shortfalls, the Pentagon has already redirected $8 billion from unused research and development funds. Still, the $130 million covers only a small fraction of the total costs. Analysts estimate it would buy roughly one-third of a single day’s pay for service members.
As the shutdown drags on—with no clear end in sight—closing the gap on funding military salaries has become a political flashpoint. That means Congress may ultimately be forced to decide whether this kind of gift can stand.
