Billionaire Timothy Mellon Donates $130 Million for Troops

Mysterious Benefactor Revealed

In a surprising turn of events, the enigmatic billionaire who pledged a whopping $130 million to support military personnel during the government shutdown has been identified as Timothy Mellon, as reported by The New York Times on Saturday.

A Behind-the-Scenes Player

Mellon, known for his reclusive nature, is a prominent Republican donor and notably contributed $125 million to the Make America Great Again super PAC, which backed Donald Trump during his presidential campaign last year.

Trump Acknowledges the Donation

On Thursday, Trump publicly acknowledged the anonymous donation, refraining from disclosing the donor's identity but referred to him as a “patriot” and a friend. When pressed by reporters about Mellon's identity on Friday, Trump chose not to confirm it, instead describing the donor as “a great American citizen” and a “substantial man.”

“He doesn’t want publicity,” Trump commented, as per The Times. “He prefers that his name not be mentioned, which is quite unusual in the realm of politics where names are often touted.”

Donation Accepted by Pentagon

The Pentagon confirmed to The Times that it accepted the generous donation under its “general gift acceptance authority.” However, there are concerns that this donation may breach the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from exceeding budgetary limits set by Congress or utilizing unpaid assistance not approved by legislative measures.

Attempts for Comment

Despite efforts, the Mellon family foundation did not respond to Fortune for a comment, and attempts made by The Times to reach Mellon were unsuccessful.

Timothy Mellon’s Wealth

Mellon is the founder of the now-defunct Guilford Transportation Industries, established in 1981. However, a significant portion of his wealth can be traced back to his grandfather, Andrew Mellon, who served as Treasury Secretary from 1921 to 1932. Andrew championed the removal of estate taxes, enabling him to bequeath his fortune to future generations.

Before his tenure at the Treasury, Andrew amassed considerable wealth through banking, industrial ventures, and early-stage investments.

Last year, the Mellon family was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s wealthiest families, boasting a collective net worth exceeding $14 billion.

Estimating Timothy Mellon’s Fortune

Although the precise extent of Timothy Mellon’s personal fortune remains somewhat opaque, he estimated his net worth at around $700 million in 2014. The London Times placed his wealth at approximately $1 billion last year, while a family member informed Vanity Fair that it could be as much as $4.2 billion, adding that Mellon preferred to keep his true net worth a secret.

Political Contributions Over the Years

From 1996 to 2018, Mellon contributed roughly $350,000 to various political causes, according to the Wall Street Journal. However, during the 2020 election cycle, his political contributions surged, reaching $60 million, which included $20 million directed towards Trump’s campaign.

In the 2024 election cycle, Mellon’s total donations soared to $165 million, as tracked by OpenSecrets. This total encompassed $25 million to the political action committee American Values 2024, which supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential run.

A Glimpse into Mellon’s Views

In his self-published autobiography, panam.captain, released in 2015, Kennedy is cited as a significant figure in Mellon’s political landscape.

Conclusion

The revelation of Timothy Mellon as the donor behind the substantial $130 million contribution to support troops during a critical time highlights the intricate connections between wealth, politics, and philanthropy in the contemporary landscape.