Anonymous Donor Covers $130M Military Pay Amid US Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump announced that an anonymous wealthy donor has contributed $130 million to the U.S. government to cover military pay shortfalls during the ongoing government shutdown. Trump praised the donor as a patriot and a friend, emphasizing the donation was made out of love for the military and the country. The donation arrived amidst a budget impasse caused by disputes over healthcare subsidies, which led to a partial government shutdown starting October 1, 2025. Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bill that would have funded paychecks for servicemembers and other federal employees, while Democrats were preparing alternative legislation to cover all federal workers and prevent terminations during the shutdown. The White House has faced increasing pressure to ensure active-duty service members receive their pay, with President Trump previously directing the Pentagon to repurpose unused funds as a temporary measure. House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that without a budget resolution, troops could still face missed paychecks in the near future.