Reclusive oil heir Timothy Mellon has been identified as the billionaire who donated $130 million to fund US military salaries during the government shutdown, raising legal and ethical concerns about the unprecedented gift.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The mystery billionaire who donated $130 million to help pay US military salaries during the government shutdown has been revealed as Timothy Mellon, the 83-year-old oil heir and political donor, according to The New York Times.
Former President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a “friend” made the contribution out of patriotism. “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, calling the donor “a great American citizen” and “a substantial man.”
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that the Department of War received the payment Thursday to cover service members’ salaries.
Mellon, a descendant of one of America’s wealthiest families with a fortune estimated at $14.1 billion, has become a significant backer of Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
However, legal experts warn the donation could breach the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from using voluntary funds. The Pentagon insists it can accept the money under “gift acceptance authority.”
Mellon has donated over $165 million to Trump’s political campaigns and super PACs but has generally avoided public attention.
The White House has not commented on the revelation, which has sparked debate over the ethics of private citizens funding government operations.