Pentagon Accepts $130 Million Anonymous Donation for Military Pay Amid Shutdown

The Pentagon confirmed: the administration of President Donald Trump intends to use a $130 million donation from an anonymous ally to pay salaries and benefits for service members during a government shutdown. The information was confirmed on Friday by representatives of the Defense Department.

“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to cover the salaries and benefits for personnel.”

According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the money was accepted under the department’s generally permissible gift-acceptance procedures, which are part of the standard rules for managing emergency finances during crises.

This move represents a radical departure from the usual practice of funding defense, which is typically covered by legally appropriated appropriations and budgets.

In both chambers of Congress, lawmakers said they are seeking additional information about the specific details of the donation and have not yet received clarifications. Some Democrats expressed concerns about its legality.

The Antideficiency Act prohibits the use of private donations to cover expenses that fall outside the designated appropriations. Experts note that such a step could create risks to budgetary discipline and the legality of actions.

Meanwhile, White House and Pentagon representatives have refrained from detailed explanations about how exactly the donation will be used and whether this information will be reported to Congress and the public.

Lawmakers’ Reactions and Next Steps

Lawmakers from both parties are calling on the administration to provide full explanations regarding compliance with the Antideficiency Act and how the funds will be reflected in budget documents during the government shutdown.

Although the donation could temporarily support payments to the military, experts emphasize transparency and strict adherence to the law to avoid further legal and financial risks.