Private $130M Donation Funds Troops During Shutdown

The Department of Defense accepted a private $130 million donation announced by President Trump to pay members of the military during the government shutdown, a contribution later reported to come from billionaire Timothy Mellon and prompting ethical and transparency concerns. Rep. Adam Smith criticized the decision as effectively privatizing government responsibility and faulted Speaker Mike Johnson for not bringing the House back to vote on funding; Pentagon spokespeople and political leaders traded blame over missed pay. Senate Democrats again blocked a House-passed stopgap funding bill—their 12th such defeat—keeping the shutdown in its 23rd day after Sen. Jeff Merkley’s nearly 23-hour speech. Democrats said they would withhold support until negotiations addressed expiring health-insurance subsidies, Medicaid cuts and related GOP changes; only three senators who caucus with Democrats voted to reopen the government and Sen. Rand Paul opposed the measure. Officials warned SNAP and other benefits could run out as the impasse deepened, and House Republicans discussed continuing resolutions that could extend funding into December 2026.