The Pentagon confirmed to Newsweek on Friday that it has accepted a $130 million donation to help pay U.S. troops during the ongoing government shutdown , a gift President Donald Trump said came from “a friend” who wanted to assist service members.

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a Friday email to Newsweek, "On October 23, 2025, the Department of War accepted an anonymous donation of $130 million under its general gift acceptance authority. The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members' salaries and benefits."

The statement concluded, "We are grateful for this donor's assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops."

The confirmation comes one day after most Democratic senators blocked a pay extension.

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