Pentagon Accepts $130M Anonymous Donation to Partially Fund Troop Salaries Amid Shutdown

The Pentagon has accepted an unprecedented $130 million anonymous donation from a close associate of President Donald Trump to fund military salaries amid the ongoing government shutdown. While the donation aims to offset service members' pay during congressional deadlock, legal experts warn that spending such funds without congressional appropriation may violate the Antideficiency Act. The Pentagon accepted the gift under its general gift authority, but critics raise ethical concerns about the influence of private wealth in public governance and the lack of transparency about the donor's identity and potential motives. The Trump administration has faced criticism for the donation's murky legality and possible implications for government policy, especially given the anonymous nature of the gift and the potential for foreign influence. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has used other funds, such as unused research budgets, to cover some payroll costs during the shutdown, though experts also question the legality of these moves. The situation highlights growing tensions between executive actions and congressional control over military funding during a protracted shutdown.