In an unprecedented move in American history, a mysterious donor has offered to donate a whopping $130 million to pay for the salaries of US troops during the government shutdown. President Donald Trump called the man a “great patriot” but kept his identity a secret. However, the man has now been revealed to be Timothy Mellon, the scion of one of America’s most famous and wealthy families. Whether the donation is a classic example of patriotism or a complicated legal and political dilemma has sparked national debate. As an American citizen, it is important to understand the implications of this incident for our country, and especially for our armed forces.
Who is Timothy Mellon?
Timothy Mellon is a descendant of the famous Mellon family from America’s ‘Gilded Age’. His grandfather, Andrew Mellon, served as the US Treasury Secretary for a long time and had a great influence on the country’s economic policies. The Mellon family’s wealth comes from banking and industrial sectors. Timothy Mellon himself is considered a major railroad tycoon and has an estimated net worth of $1 billion. However, he has always refused to call himself a billionaire. He has also been active in politics. He is a big supporter and donor of President Donald Trump. During the 2024 election campaign, he donated $50 million to Trump’s super PAC, which was one of the largest political donations at the time. So his political stance is clear.
The reality of the donation: Like a drop in the ocean?
While Timothy Mellon’s $130 million donation sounds like a lot, it is very small compared to the enormous cost of paying the US military. There are more than 1.3 million soldiers in the US active duty military. According to this calculation, Mellon’s donation would only provide an average of $100 per soldier. While this amount is certainly helpful, it cannot meet the needs of soldiers. The US military spends about $6.4 billion every two weeks on salaries. President Trump’s administration has requested about $600 billion for military pay in the 2025 budget. These figures make it clear that Mellon’s donation is more of a symbolic act, but it is not a solution to the real problem. It shows sympathy for the soldiers, but it cannot get them out of the financial crisis of the government shutdown.
Legal obstacle: Antideficiency Act
The biggest obstacle to this donation is the US’s ‘Antideficiency Act’. This is an old and important federal law, which is the backbone of the US government’s financial discipline. According to this law, any government agency is prohibited from spending more than the amount approved by Congress (the US Parliament). Also, this law prohibits accepting and spending private donations without Congress’s permission. The original purpose behind this law is that Congress should have the final authority over how and where the country’s money is spent, so that there is transparency and control over the government’s financial transactions. Mellon’s donation could violate this law, as only Congress has the authority to authorize funds for military salaries. So, even if the intentions are good, there is a big question mark over whether the government can legally use the donation.
Some leaders, such as Delaware Senator Chris Coons, have expressed serious concerns about this type of donation. They say that if the government starts accepting such anonymous or private donations and starts running important institutions like the military, it would be a very dangerous step. This could allow wealthy individuals, large corporations, or even foreign powers to interfere in the affairs of the US government in the future. For example, a foreign power could try to “buy” or influence the US military. The salaries and funds of our military should be entirely under the control of the US government and funded by taxpayers, so that their loyalty is solely to the country. Relying on private donations could compromise national security..
Timothy Mellon’s donation is undoubtedly a testament to his patriotism and dedication to his troops. It’s comforting to know that someone is thinking of the troops who are working without pay during the government shutdown. President Trump has used this donation to pressure Congress and demonstrate the patriotism of his supporters. However, given the size of the donation, the legal ramifications, and the risks it poses, it seems more like a political ploy. The salaries of a military as powerful as the United States cannot be funded by private donations. That requires a strong and stable government financial system, which Congress and the administration are responsible for. Therefore, while Mellon’s action is commendable, it is not a solution to the root problem, but rather an event that highlights the severity of the problem.