Anonymous donor gave $130 million to pay troops, but Congress may need to cut the check to soldiers

Published October 24, 2025 6:02pm ET



The U.S. government may have to reject a $130 million donation intended to pay soldiers’ salaries.

The anonymous donor, described by President Donald Trump on Thursday as a patriot and “friend of mine,” gave the donation specifically to pay for soldiers’ salaries during the government shutdown. However, a gridlocked Congress may be the donation’s only hope for approval.

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