Timothy Mellon Revealed as Trump's $130 Million Donor for Military Pay Amid Shutdown

The anonymous donor pledging $130 million to cover U.S. military salaries during the ongoing government shutdown has been identified as Timothy Mellon, a reclusive railroad heir from one of America's wealthiest Gilded Age families, according to a report by The New York Times.

Timothy Melon Networth

Mellon, whose net worth Forbes estimates at nearly $1 billion—though he disputed the "billionaire" label in a 2024 email to the outlet, stating, "Billionaire NOT! ... Never have been, never will be"—is a longtime supporter of former President Donald Trump. The donation, announced by Trump at the White House on Thursday without naming the contributor, aims to offset payroll costs for active-duty troops as the shutdown enters its record-breaking phase.

"He's a great gentleman. He's a great patriot ... and he's a big supporter of mine," Trump said Friday night, adding that the donor "doesn't want publicity" and describing him as a "wonderful man."

However, the gift's impact is limited: With over 1.3 million active-duty service members, the $130 million equates to roughly $100 per person. In contrast, the biweekly cost to fund U.S. troops' salaries and benefits approaches $6.4 billion, based on the Trump administration's 2025 budget request for approximately $600 billion in annual military compensation.

Legal experts have raised concerns that accepting the donation could violate the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending unappropriated funds. The Times cited two sources familiar with the matter, noting that the contribution might run afoul of these restrictions.

Timothy Mellon's Background and Ties to Trump

Mellon, a descendant of Andrew Mellon—who served as U.S. Treasury Secretary for over a decade under Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover—built his fortune as chairman of Pan Am Systems, a privately held transportation company focused on railroads. His family legacy traces back to the Mellon Bank empire, synonymous with American industrial might.

A staunch conservative donor, Mellon contributed $50 million to Trump's super PAC during the 2024 election cycle—one of the largest single political donations on record. His support for Trump aligns with a pattern of backing Republican causes, though he maintains a low public profile.

Broader Implications Amid the Shutdown

The federal government shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history, has halted paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal workers, including military personnel. While troops continue to serve, their compensation has been delayed, prompting Trump's announcement of the private donation as a stopgap measure.

Critics, however, question the precedent. A spokesman for Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) expressed alarm to NBC News: "Using anonymous donations to fund our military raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers."

The donation's announcement comes amid stalled congressional negotiations. A Senate procedural vote on a bill to fund the military during the shutdown failed this week, and White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett suggested the impasse could resolve soon—though doubts linger.

Other shutdown fallout includes the Army Corps of Engineers pausing $11 billion in projects, disruptions to student loan services, and scrutiny over upcoming inflation data reports.

For more on the shutdown:

• Government shutdown becomes 2nd longest in U.S. history

• This week’s critical inflation report comes with doubts about the data

• How to get student loan help during the government shutdown

• White House economic advisor Hassett says shutdown could end this week

• Army Corps of Engineers pausing $11 billion in projects over shutdown: Vought

• Government shutdown: Trump distrust keeps Democrats from forming ‘gang’

• Bill to fund military during government shutdown fails in Senate procedural vote

As the shutdown persists, Mellon's gesture highlights the growing role of private wealth in public crises but also underscores the legal and ethical hurdles of blending philanthropy with government operations.

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