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| US President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he has a “pretty long meeting scheduled” with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Photo: AP |
In a dramatic turn amid the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown, Donald Trump announced on Thursday that an anonymous billionaire has donated $130 million to cover potential pay shortfalls for U.S. troops.
The shutdown began on October 1 when Congress failed to pass a funding bill. It has now lasted 23 days and has caused major disruptions across federal operations—including portions of air traffic control, border security, and numerous other services. At the same time, the national debt has recently exceeded $38 trillion.
What the donation means
President Trump revealed that a high-net-worth individual reached out with the offer to fund any shortfall in military pay. “A friend of mine … a man that’s great,” Trump said, declining to name the donor. According to Trump, the donor said, “I love the military and I love the country, and if there’s a shortfall, I’ll contribute it, and today he sent us a check for $130 million.”
The money is intended to ensure that active-duty service members receive their salaries despite the budget deadlock. Trump previously signed an executive order directing the United States Department of Defense to tap unused research funds to help hold off any immediate pay freeze for troops.
Context of the shutdown
The shutdown has forced hundreds of thousands of federal workers into furlough and has disrupted critical services. The deadlock in Washington is rooted in disputes over funding allocations, healthcare subsidies, and other disagreements between Congress and the executive branch. With the national debt at a record high, the financial and political stakes are mounting.
In the Senate, bipartisan figures like Dave McCormick and John Fetterman have called for an immediate resolution to mitigate harm to Americans and federal employees.
Reactions and concerns
While the donation has drawn praise for supporting the troops, some observers raise questions. Critics note that relying on a private donation to maintain federal pay could underscore how precarious the situation has become. On social media, one Reddit commenter observed:
“I don’t think you want your troops paid by private money.”
Another user pointed to potential legal issues:
“This ability for private citizens to fund our military infrastructure isn’t terrifying at all … dark money is clearly doing the country so much good.”
From the legislative side, the donation is seen as a stopgap rather than a solution. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, warned that the shift in funds is only temporary — service members could still miss pay if no budget deal is reached.
What happens next
With the shutdown stretching into a fourth week, the pressure on lawmakers is growing. The anonymous gift offers short-term relief for military salaries, but not a long-term fix. Without a budget resolution, the shutdown’s effects may escalate.
For service members and their families, the donation has offered a measure of relief. Yet the broader uncertainty remains: federal services are impacted, and the root political disagreements remain unresolved.
In the coming days, Congress must either pass a funding bill or find another legislative path to re-open agencies. Otherwise, the temporary patch provided by the donation may not be enough to avert larger disruptions.
An undisclosed billionaire’s $130 million donation to support U.S. troops grows out of the extraordinary pressure caused by a protracted government shutdown. The gift is both historic and unusual — a private citizen stepping into a role usually held by the federal budget. While it helps in the short term, the shutdown continues to shine a spotlight on deeper political rifts. For now, troops are covered — but the shutdown remains unresolved.
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