Pentagon to use $130 million donation from anonymous Trump 'friend' to pay military members

[riversedge]

Source: cnn


Adam Cancryn Updated 5 min ago

The Trump administration plans to funnel a $130 million donation from an anonymous ally of President Donald Trump toward paying military service members during the government shutdown, the Defense Department confirmed on Friday.

“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members’ salaries and benefits,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to CNN, adding that the money was accepted under the department’s “general gift acceptance authority.”

The move marks a striking departure from government procedure for funding the military, which traditionally relies on public funds appropriated by Congress.

Congressional appropriators on both sides of the aisle said Friday that they were seeking more information from the administration about the specifics of the donation, but have yet to receive any explanation. Some Democrats have also raised concerns about its legality.


The Trump administration plans to funnel a $130 million donation from an anonymous ally of President Donald Trump toward paying military service members during the government shutdown, the Defense Department confirmed on Friday.

“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members’ salaries and benefits,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to CNN, adding that the money was accepted under the department’s “general gift acceptance authority.”

The move marks a striking departure from government procedure for funding the military, which traditionally relies on public funds appropriated by Congress.

Congressional appropriators on both sides of the aisle said Friday that they were seeking more information from the administration about the specifics of the donation, but have yet to receive any explanation. Some Democrats have also raised concerns about its legality. .........................

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/politics/anonymous-donor-military-pay-shutdown

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Seems it is a secret

Link to tweet

[Irish_Dem]

1. US military are now mercenaries hired by the rich.

[Attilatheblond]

34. Been sayin for years: just a matter of time until the ultra rich turn into war lords with their own armies

Was hoping not to live to see the day, but here we are.

[Irish_Dem]

36. Yes we are living in all the dystopian novels we have ever read.

Never even dreamed this could happen here.

[Attilatheblond]

37. Wish I had never dreamed it could happen here, but...

been FULLY expecting it for a bit over 3 decades now. The writing was on the wall. Worse to come, I fear.

[orangecrush]

2. JFC JFC JFC

"Some Democrats have also raised concerns about its legality."

NO FUCKING SHIT SHERLOCK

[sop]

3. That can't possibly be legal.

Come on, how can some anonymous Trump crony pay the salaries of the entire U.S. military? And corporate media reports this shit like it's the most normal thing in the world. I mean, WTF?

[orangecrush]

4. Its a gift

From Putin.

Of course he prefers to remain anonymous.

[PSPS]

20. It is not legal. Antideficiency Act and 18 U.S.C. § 209

But, hey! Johnny-boy says it doesn't matter!

[GarColga]

5. 130 million won't go very far

in paying approximately 2.07 million members of the US military.

[Turbineguy]

13. $62.80. Each

Very generous. It's like one of those payouts from a class-action.

[Marthe48]

19. It's not just a job. It's 62.80 a week

Old SNL fake U.S. Navy ad.

[Attilatheblond]

38. Probably a big enough tax deduction for somebody to save a bundle on what they owe Uncle Sam

Plus whoever probably bought some good will from some bent officers.

[flamingdem]

6. This is psychotic

How is this being allowed.

Chaos.

[Faux pas]

7. More likely to

be divided amongst the hump and...nobody really.

[WSHazel]

8. The national debt increased by $1 trillion

There may not be an anonymous donor. The Administration may be just lying. Our deficit was “officially” cut to less than $1 trillion a year, so why is the government borrowing a trillion in less than 2 months? Who knows what the treasury is paying for at this point?

It is impossible to believe anything from our government.

[patphil]

9. That won't last even one day if the whole military is getting some of this money.

So, a few special people get paid?

There are over 2 million men and women in uniform. If the average monthly pay per person was $5000., then the monthly payroll would be over 10 billion dollars. This is simplistic example, and only to prove a point. I'm sure the real figure is much higher.
So, this $130 million dollars divided by 2 million personnel would only be enough to pay all of the military about $65.
And then it's gone.
It's not so much the amount, as it is the idea that private sources could fund the military.
My bet is that it will be used to fund certain groups within the military...groups loyal to, or useful to Trump.

[popsdenver]

18. BINGO Pat

besides, 130 million to someone who has a couple ofBillion or more, isn't even pocket change or dashboard change........and certainly isn't a big amount considering the TAX CUT(s) they have received from Trump/Republicans CABAL...........

I read one of the "medium" billionaires gave 10 Million to some cause, as if it was a wonderful thing he did.....They must not have known that he was worth 60 BILLION..........

[Attilatheblond]

35. AKA bribes to specific military commanders who don't take their oaths seriously.

'Best leadership money can buy' is working so well for Russia! So Putin's Favorite President will try it here.

[Ray Bruns]

10. Not only is this illegal it's

[Buddyzbuddy]

11. Nothing is free. So, who will our service members be beholden to?

What "favor" will be asked of them and their families because Republicans refuse to do their job?

[S/V Loner]

12. Holy Fuck! n/t

[Nigrum Cattus]

14. That's 1/4 of 1% of the monthly miltary payroll

$600 Billion annually divide x 12 = 50 Billion
$50,000,000,000
- $130,000,000
that leaves just $49,870,000,000 to go for this month only

[Picaro]

15. $130M won't stretch

$130 wouldn’t even pay the officer corp.

This is about making service members personally loyal and personally beholden to Donald Trump. It is about setting a precedent of private payment to public servants.

This is where they want to go. Where there is direct fealty to individuals for personal survival and prosperity.

This is feudalism reborn.

But I’ve got bad news for these people. $130 million won’t even scratch the payroll.

[wiggs]

16. Donor, corporation, or country providing the money doesn't want recognition. Giant red flag. nt

[Boomerproud]

40. Saw on another thread in GD.

It's Timothy Mellon. The man behind the curtain.

[C Moon]

17. Wow. If I was paranoid I would think this part of the plan.

[Smilo]

21. Wonder when that I.O.U.

will be called in.

[hay rick]

22. Patriot-washing a kickback.

Also, wouldn't want the troops to think that they are working for the American people.

[Javaman]

23. So now the US military is in some private donors pocket

This is officially the ends of any basis to our nation existing as a democracy

[LudwigPastorius]

24. $30 million to salaries,...

$100 million to the Donald J. Trump Fund (located offshore for tax purposes).

[Sneederbunk]

25. How much is TSF's cut?

[COL Mustard]

29. A ballroom donation

[dem4decades]

26. Now they can fly the Trump flag

[Crowman2009]

27. Now the MAGA in the military are in the find out phase.

Hope those devil dogs love the crumbs from the master's table. Of course like the DOGE checks, they will be nonexistent.

[COL Mustard]

28. I'm not a fiscal lawyer

Or a lawyer of any kind, but there’s no way this can be legal. Congress appropriates funds for the Military Pay Account, and any use of funds for a purpose other than what it was appropriated for is a violation of the Antidefiency Act. Also, the government can’t accept volunteer service, so it’ll be interesting to see how the Comptroller folks jump through hoops to make this happen.

I’m certainly not anti-troop. I’m a retired troop and I have family currently serving, so I’m happy to see them get paid, but I really don’t see how this is legal.

[Callie1979]

30. Is there any PROOF this donation actually happened?

[travelingthrulife]

31. So what foreign entity owns our military now?

Which of his special criminal friends do our soldiers fight for now?

[twodogsbarking]

32. Trump.

[oldinmtdem92]

33. does this make any one else sick to your stomach

[Attilatheblond]

39. Just taking a guess as to who the next mystery donor will be: Eric Prince?

Buying more mercenaries on the cheap? Or just looking to become Supreme Commander of US Military?