Trump Ally Donates $130M, Administration Shifts $5.3B to Sustain Military Pay Amid Shutdown

During the ongoing government shutdown in 2025, the Trump administration has secured $5.3 billion from various federal accounts to continue paying military personnel, redirecting funds from tax cuts, military procurement, and research and development. Despite this, concerns remain about the sustainability of these measures and the potential for service members to face missed paychecks if the shutdown persists beyond mid-November. Additionally, a wealthy donor, later reported to be billionaire Timothy Mellon, contributed $130 million to cover military salaries, but this amount only covers a fraction of the troops' pay and has raised questions about the precedent of relying on private donations for federal obligations. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that not all troops might be paid, attributing the shutdown to Democratic opposition to President Trump's spending priorities. The shutdown has resulted in over 700,000 federal workers being furloughed or working without pay, posing broader challenges beyond military compensation. Overall, the situation underscores the severe impacts of the political impasse on military families and federal employees, with ongoing uncertainty about resolving the funding crisis.