Why it matters:
Critics argue that private and anonymous funding sets a dangerous precedent by allowing private money to fill gaps in federal obligations, raising concerns about transparency, legality, and potential foreign influence. It breaks with the longstanding norms of military funding, which have traditionally relied on congressional appropriations.
Zoom in:
The donor reportedly insisted that the funds be used specifically for service members’ pay and benefits.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the donation was accepted under the department’s “general gift acceptance authority.”
The funds amount to roughly $100 per active-duty service member—a symbolic gesture, not a solution.
Congressional leaders from both parties say they’ve received no details about the donor or the legal basis for the gift.
Democrats argue the Pentagon’s authority only covers gifts for military schools, hospitals, cemeteries, or wounded troops — not general payroll.
Budget experts warn the move may violate the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from spending beyond appropriated funds.
Between the lines:
Trump praised the donation Thursday, calling the donor “a friend of mine” who “doesn’t want recognition.” However, the administration has refused to answer questions about the donor’s identity or possible ties to foreign interests. The Pentagon and Treasury have deflected inquiries, fueling speculation and concern.
What critics are saying:
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) said the donation “raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers.”
Budget analyst Bill Hoagland told CNN the Pentagon “could accept it, but they could not use it for that purpose because the law is very clear.”
On X (formerly Twitter), users blasted the move as “privatizing patriotism,” “military GoFundMe,” and “a dystopian stunt.”
One viral post read: “If billionaires can pay our troops, what’s next, private donors funding Congress?”
The big picture:
As the shutdown drags on, the administration’s reliance on private donations to fund essential services is drawing fierce backlash. The Pentagon’s silence on donor vetting and congressional oversight has only deepened mistrust. For many, the episode underscores a broader erosion of democratic norms in how America funds its government.
Go deeper:
U.S. Government Shutdown After Senate Fails to Pass Spending Bill
Hossein Amiri - m.sarabi
