A reclusive billionaire who provided President Trump with a $130 million donation to support military personnel during the Democrat-led government shutdown has been disclosed as Timothy Mellon, according to reports. The 83-year-old heir to a banking legacy and prominent Trump donor is alleged to have funded the payment of troops amid the funding crisis.
The New York Times cited unnamed sources familiar with the transaction, identifying Mellon as the anonymous benefactor. President Trump publicly acknowledged the donation but refused to reveal the donor’s name, referring only to him as a “patriot” and “friend.” When questioned aboard Air Force One, Trump reiterated that the individual preferred anonymity, stating, “He doesn’t want publicity,” despite his usual affinity for recognition.
Mellon, whose family fortune is estimated at $14 billion, has been a consistent supporter of Trump’s political endeavors. His grandfather, Andrew Mellon, served as U.S. Treasury Secretary from 1921 to 1932 and was instrumental in shaping financial institutions before the Great Depression. Timothy Mellon, who resides in Wyoming, also contributed $50 million to a pro-Trump super PAC following Trump’s 2024 conviction in New York.
The donation came during a period of political gridlock, with critics arguing that funds could have been better allocated elsewhere. The revelation highlights the role of private donors in stabilizing government operations amid partisan conflicts.