Trump ally Timothy Mellon has been revealed as the anonymous donor of a $130 million gift to the Pentagon

A bombshell report from The New York Times has unmasked Timothy Mellon, an 80-year-old billionaire heir to the Mellon banking dynasty and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, as the anonymous donor behind a staggering $130 million gift to the Pentagon.

The donation, announced by Trump on October 23, aims to cover paychecks for U.S. military troops caught in the financial crossfire of the ongoing federal government shutdown. The revelation has sparked both praise and controversy, raising questions about the role of private wealth in public crises.

Mellon, a Wyoming-based railroad magnate and grandson of Andrew Mellon, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary (1921–1932), has long shunned the public eye. With an estimated net worth of $1 billion, Mellon amassed wealth through ventures like Pan Am Railways, which he sold in 2022, and stakes in aviation and other industries.

Known for his reclusive lifestyle, Mellon has avoided media attention, once dismissing his billionaire status in an email with a curt, “Billionaire NOT!” Yet, his financial footprint in politics tells a different story.

Since Trump’s 2016 campaign, Mellon has emerged as one of the Republican Party’s most prolific donors, pouring over $500 million into conservative causes, including a jaw-dropping $50 million to Trump’s 2024 super PAC and $165 million to Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other GOP candidates this election cycle.

The $130 million donation, accepted under the Pentagon’s “gift acceptance authority,” was intended to support 1.3 million active-duty service members facing delayed paychecks due to the government shutdown that began in early October.

The shutdown, sparked by partisan gridlock over spending and border security, has furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupted non-essential operations. While troops are guaranteed back pay by law, the delay has strained morale and readiness.

The Pentagon estimates its biweekly military payroll at $6.4 billion, meaning Mellon’s gift equates to roughly $100 per service member—a symbolic gesture, but one that falls short of covering the full payroll.

President Trump hailed the donation as an act of “true patriotism” during a White House event on October 23, describing the donor as a “great friend” who “doesn’t want publicity.” Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on October 24, Trump doubled down, calling it a shining example of private citizens stepping up for the nation. However, he withheld the donor’s identity until the Times’ investigation brought Mellon’s name to light.

The revelation has ignited a firestorm of debate. Republicans have lauded Mellon’s generosity, with outlets like Fox News framing it as a testament to Trump’s leadership and loyalty from his inner circle. “This is what America First looks like,” said a GOP strategist on condition of anonymity.

Conversely, Democrats and government watchdog groups have raised red flags. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) questioned the donation’s legality under the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending unallocated funds. “This sets a dangerous precedent,” Coons told CNN. “What’s to stop foreign actors from funneling money through anonymous gifts?” While no evidence suggests foreign involvement here, critics argue the donation sidesteps Congress’s constitutional role in budgeting.

Budget experts emphasize that Mellon’s $130 million, while significant, is a drop in the bucket compared to the Pentagon’s needs. “It’s a Band-Aid, not a solution,” said Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. “The real issue is resolving the shutdown.” Media coverage has been polarized, with CNBC and CNN highlighting the donation’s modest impact and ethical concerns, while conservative outlets celebrate it as a patriotic win.

Mellon’s emergence as the donor underscores his growing influence in Trumpworld, blending old-money legacy with modern political megadonating. As the shutdown drags on, the debate over private funding for public services is likely to intensify, with Mellon’s gift at the center of the storm. For more details, visit The New York Times’ website.