It became known who anonymously sent $130 million to the Pentagon for military salaries
According to information The New York Times, the anonymous donor who transferred $130 million to pay salaries to American military personnel turned out to be billionaire recluse and Donald Trump’s main sponsor – Timothy Mellon.
Anonymous sources told the publication that it was Timothy Mellon – a banker, railroad magnate and longtime Trump supporter – who transferred the money to the Pentagon. The ministry confirmed that the contribution was accepted in accordance with the “general authority for accepting gifts”.
As a reminder, the US has been in a shutdown since October 1, a forced suspension of federal agencies due to a lack of approved funding. Republicans and Democrats have been unable to reach an agreement on a budget bill that was supposed to ensure the continued operation of the government.
On Thursday, the Senate did not approve a Republican bill that would have allocated funds for the salaries of active military personnel and some other critical federal employees. An alternative proposal from Democrats that would cover all civil servants also failed to gain sufficient support.
On October 11, Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to make payments to the military from “free” funds intended for research and development. However, the question of where the government will get the $6.37 billion for the next payment remains open.
Who is Timothy Mellon
Timothy Mellon, 83, is the grandson of Andrew W. Mellon, the legendary banker and U.S. Treasury Secretary who served from 1921 to 1932. According to Forbes, the Mellon family’s fortune is approximately $14 billion. The Mellon family has long been associated with American finance, the arts, and philanthropy.
The Mellon empire began with Thomas Mellon, an Irish immigrant who arrived in Pennsylvania in the 1800s. His son, Andrew Mellon, made significant investments in companies such as Alcoa and Gulf Oil.
Donald Trump has described Timothy Mellon as a “friend,” a “great American,” and a “patriot,” but has declined to name him publicly.
According to the think tank OpenSecrets, Timothy Mellon is one of the largest political donors in the United States. During the 2024 election cycle, he spent more than $165 million supporting Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy, and other Republican candidates, making him the largest outside donor last year.
