The mystery surrounding the anonymous donor who pledged $130 million to help pay U.S. service members during the government shutdown quickly intensified after President Trump announced the offer on Friday. By Saturday, The New York Times reported that the unnamed benefactor was Timothy Mellon, the extremely private billionaire heir to the Mellon banking family. While neither Mellon nor Trump has confirmed the report, the revelation sparked widespread attention.

The donation emerged during a shutdown now in its 25th day, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees — including essential military personnel — unsure when they would be paid. A recent Senate attempt to approve a temporary pay measure failed, heightening anxiety among affected families. In this climate, news of such a massive personal gift drew national focus.

If accurate, Mellon’s contribution would be one of the largest private donations ever offered to support active-duty service members during a funding lapse. Mellon, despite an estimated $14.1 billion fortune, is known for avoiding the spotlight and rarely appearing in public.

Mellon has long been a major political donor. He contributed $50 million to a pro-Trump PAC after Trump’s 2024 conviction and is also the biggest donor to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential run. Beyond politics, he has funded expeditions related to the search for Amelia Earhart and previously operated Pan Am Railways before it was acquired by CSX in 2022.

Despite the magnitude of the reported gift, a significant legal barrier stands in the way: the Antideficiency Act. The law prevents federal agencies from spending money not formally appropriated by Congress during a shutdown. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that the donation was intended to offset military salaries but may not be usable without congressional authorization.

Even so, the offer underscores the real-world consequences of prolonged shutdowns. Military families continue performing essential duties while facing missed paychecks, tighter budgets, and growing uncertainty.

Whether the Pentagon can accept the funds remains unclear. If approved, the donation could offer temporary relief. If not, it still draws attention to the burdens placed on service members caught in political stalemate.