Billionaire businessman Timothy Mellon – scion of the famed American banking family – is the deep-pocketed donor who gave $130 million to pay US troops during the government shutdown.
The reclusive Mellon was identified as the source of the funds in a Saturday report by The New York Times.
President Trump announced this week that “a friend” who “loves the military and loves the country” – but who didn’t want to be identified – had given the funds.
The wealthy donor who donated $130 million to try to pay US troops during the government shutdown has been revealed to be billionaire heir and businessman Timothy Mellon. Alamy Stock Photo
Trump referenced the contribution en route to Asia Friday night, calling the request for anonymity “pretty unusual in the world I come from,” calling the donor a “great gentleman” and a “great patriot.”
The White House declined to comment and referred questions to the Department of War and the Treasury Department, which did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Timothy Mellon could not immediately be reached for comment by The Post.
Mellon, 83, is the grandson of industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Mellon. The family is believed to be worth $14 billion, according to Forbes.
A day after Trump’s 2024 conviction for fraud in New York, Mellon donated a stunning $50 million to the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again.
He lives in Wyoming, where he has kept a low profile.
The Pentagon said that it would accept the donation, and President Trump stated a day earlier that the donation was coming from “a friend.” Aaron Schwartz – Pool via CNP/Shutterstock
Andrew Mellon, who served as the nation’s Treasury Secretary from 1921 to 1932, amassed a fortune in the years leading up to the Great Depression, and ultimately made significant philanthropic contributions to the National Gallery of Art and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
The Pentagon accepted his grandson’s donation, but might not be able to use the funds: the Antideficiency Act bars agencies from spending money that has not been appropriated by Congress during a shutdown.
“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members’ salaries and benefits,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
The Senate on Thursday voted down an effort to pay active duty members of the military, 54-45.