Billionaire Timothy Mellon Donates $130M for US Troop Pay During Shutdown

Timothy Mellon, a billionaire heir to the Mellon banking fortune and a major financial backer of President Donald Trump, has been identified as the anonymous donor who contributed $130 million to pay U.S. troops during the ongoing government shutdown. Mellon, described by Trump as a "patriot" and a "friend," has a personal net worth estimated to be between $1 billion and $14 billion, with substantial donations to Republican causes including Trump's campaigns. The Pentagon accepted Mellon’s donation under its "general gift acceptance authority," with the condition that the funds be used to cover service members' salaries and benefits. However, legal experts and watchdog groups have raised concerns about the donation's legality, citing potential violations of the Antideficiency Act, which requires congressional appropriations for government spending and limits acceptance of voluntary services. Despite the donation providing some relief, it covers only a fraction of the military payroll, which totals approximately $7.5 billion every two weeks. Mellon’s preference for anonymity and his significant financial support for Trump and other conservative candidates have brought renewed attention to the influence of wealthy donors in U.S. politics.