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

WASHINGTON ‒ The Pentagon said it has accepted an anonymous $130 million donation from an ally of President Donald Trump that it plans to use to pay military members during the government shutdown.

The move marks a dramatic break from the government’s process to fund the military, which relies on federal dollars appropriated by Congress. It comes as Trump has also accepted private donations from wealthy donors to build a $300 billion ballroom on the White House grounds.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, in a statement, confirmed the Defense Department accepted the anonymous donation under its “general gift acceptance authority.”

“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members’ salaries and benefits,” Parnell said. “We are grateful for this donor’s assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops.”

Trump discussed the donation during White House remarks Thursday, saying a “friend of mine,” whose name the president declined to give, recently called the president to say, “I’d like to contribute any shortfall that you have because of the Democrat shutdown.”

“And today he sent us a check for $130 million,” Trump said.

Service members have worked through the government shutdown, which started Oct. 1. But like other “essential” workers, they are not guaranteed paychecks.

The Pentagon, at Trump’s instruction, altered the Defense Department’s budget to ensure the nation’s 1.3 million active-duty troops received their most recent paychecks Oct. 15. But it is unclear whether the government has the money for their next paychecks Oct. 31.

Trump’s plans to use the donation to pay military members raised legal and ethical concerns from Democrats. A Pentagon policy from March outlines purposes that gifts can be used for, such as the maintenance of schools, hospitals and other buildings, as well as injured members of the armed service. The policy also requires the department consult with ethics officials before accepting gifts of more than $10,000.

“Using anonymous donations to fund our military raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers,” Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the Senate’s defense appropriations subcommittee, told CNN.

The Pentagon did not say how many paychecks will be covered by the donation or how many payment cycles.

Trump would not disclose the donor’s name when a reporter asked for the person’s identity.

“I would love to tell you,” Trump said. “He really doesn’t want the recognition, if you really want to know the truth.”