Billionaire Timothy Mellon Is The Mystery Donor Who Gave $130 Million To Pay Military, Report Says
Sara Dorn is a Forbes news reporter who covers politics.
Topline
Billionaire Trump megadonor Timothy Mellon is the benefactor who gave $130 million to help the federal government pay military members during the shutdown, The New York Times reported Saturday, citing two anonymous sources.
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Holland Drop Zone on June 10, 2025 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
The Pentagon said Friday it had accepted the money to help ensure the military doesn’t miss a paycheck during the government shutdown.
Trump first revealed Thursday a “friend,” provided the donation, but said the person wanted to remain anonymous, telling reporters Friday “he doesn’t want publicity.”
Mellon and his representatives could not be reached, The New York Times reported.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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