Pentagon received $130 million anonymous gift to pay troops

The Pentagon has received a $130 million anonymous donation to pay military personnel during the ongoing US government shutdown. The donation was made on October 23, 2025, and accepted under the Department of War's general gift acceptance authority. The condition for the donation is that it be used to offset the cost of service members' salaries and benefits. This move has raised questions about the administration's ability to use the funds, as some federal budget maneuvers during the shutdown have been deemed legally questionable. The White House has taken steps to fire federal workers and slash funding in areas governed by Democrats, sparking legal challenges. The donation is the latest in a series of unusual measures taken by President Donald Trump during the shutdown.

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