Mystery Solved: Billionaire Reportedly Donated $130 Million to Pay Troops Amid ‘Schumer Shutdown’
The Biden-era games are over. During what President Donald Trump dubbed the “Schumer Shutdown,” one man stepped up in a way no career politician ever would — with $130 million of his own money to keep America’s troops paid.
On Thursday, Trump revealed that the anonymous donor behind the staggering contribution was a close friend and a true patriot. Now, the mystery man appears to be Timothy Mellon — a billionaire railroad tycoon and heir to one of America’s most historic banking families. Mellon has not publicly confirmed his role, but Pentagon sources are pointing in his direction.
Trump praised the act as a bold stand for the troops — and a direct rebuke of the Democrats who brought the government to a halt on October 1. The shutdown came after Senate Democrats refused to fund the government unless certain illegal immigration-linked health care subsidies were included. Republicans refused to cave, arguing that no American soldier should go unpaid while non-citizens receive taxpayer-funded handouts.
“He called us the other day and 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,’” Trump said.
On October 23, the Department of War officially accepted the donation. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the $130 million will go directly toward covering service member salaries and benefits. “We are grateful for this donor’s assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops,” Parnell stated.
The donation arrives alongside direct action from the White House. Trump previously signed an executive order instructing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to divert unused defense funds to cover military salaries.
And he didn’t hold back when calling out those responsible.
“Chuck Schumer recently said, ‘Every day gets better’ during their Radical Left Shutdown. I DISAGREE!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE.”
Mellon is no stranger to backing pro-America causes. In 2024, he donated $100 million to groups supporting Trump and then-candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who now serves in Trump’s cabinet as Health and Human Services Secretary.
It’s unclear whether Congress will attempt to block or delay the donation, but the Department of War’s acceptance speaks volumes.
While Democrats stalled paychecks for soldiers, it took a single act of patriotism — and one billionaire’s unwavering support for the troops — to show what putting America First really looks like.