Trump Says Wealthy Donor Offered to Pay Troops During Shutdown, He Turned It Down
President Donald Trump says a very wealthy person offered to cover military pay if a government shutdown continued, and he declined the offer. He told reporters the story at the White House while seated beside Argentine President Javier Milei. The exchange put the spotlight on what the White House calls political gamesmanship over military pay.
‘This is a position that is being forced upon us by Democrats.’
“I actually have a man who is a very wealthy person … who called — a donor, a great gentleman. And he said, ‘If there’s any money necessary, shortfall for the paying of the troops, then I will pay it,’ meaning he will pay it,” the president said. “How about that?”
Trump says he turned the help down on principle and insisted the government should handle soldier pay. “I said, ‘Look, we’re not going to need it. We’re going to take care of our troops,'” he added. “But this was a position that’s being forced upon us by Democrats.”
Video of the president’s statement was widely on social media.
The president also used his Truth Social account to flag the payroll risk and announce steps the administration would take. “If nothing is done, because of ‘Leader’ Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th,” he posted. “That is why I am using my authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th.”
Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem, in a social post , said she had secured funding to pay the U.S. Coast Guard. She framed the move as targeted relief while broader budget fights continue. The action underscores how agencies and allies are stepping in to prevent service members from being caught in the middle.
“While Democrats have played politics with military pay to fight for illegal aliens, the US Coast Guard has been defending our maritime borders, stopping the flow of deadly narcotics and illegal immigration into our country, and countering America’s adversaries around the world,” she said in part.
Trump: "I had a very wealthy person who called — a donor, a great gentleman — and he said, 'if there's any money necessary, shortfall, for the paying of the troops, then I will pay it.' Meaning he will pay it. How about that?" pic.twitter.com/TJYio03aWS
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 14, 2025
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the One Big Beautiful Bill,” Noem added, “the brave men and women of the US Coast Guard will not miss a paycheck this week as they continue to carry out their critical homeland security and military missions.”
Meanwhile, the Office of Management and Budget has reported that the federal government has laid off more than 4,000 employees during the shutdown. That number highlights the real staffing and mission risks while the funding fight drags on. Veterans, service members, and civilian workers are watching to see whether Congress will step up.
From a GOP perspective this plays out clearly: the White House refused private charity because the duty to pay troops lies with the government, and it put the political onus on Democrats. The president also signaled he would use executive authority to keep paychecks flowing if lawmakers fail to act. The funding fight is now squarely a congressional test of priorities.
As agencies try to patch holes, the situation remains active and fluid. Lawmakers will decide whether to relieve the pressure or let the shutdown’s effects widen into more services and payrolls. For now, the focus stays on getting pay to the troops and forcing a political resolution.
