Musk Or Isaacman? Trump’s ‘Friend’ Donates $130M To Support Troops Amid Government Shutdown

On Thursday, President Donald Trump stated that an anonymous donor had provided $130 million to the federal government to help pay military troops during the federal government shutdown.

“He called us the other day and he said, ‘I'd like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown. I’d like to contribute, personally, contribute any shortfall you have with the military, because I love the military and I love the country, and any shortfall, if there’s a shortfall, I’ll contribute it',” Trump said during a cabinet meeting.

“He doesn’t really want the recognition, if you want to know the truth, but he gave us a check for $130 million, which was sort of a shortfall, and that’s going to go to the military,” the president added.

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Trump: A friend of mine, called as the other day and said I would like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrats shut down. Today he sent us a check for $130 million. It’s going to go to the military pic.twitter.com/6cD7FDzU4o

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 23, 2025

Since Trump's comments, many people have been expressing speculation about who the anonymous donor is.

Who is the anonymous donor for $130 million for troop pay? What Trump gave in his comments were only two hints as to who might be the donor - he said the donor was his friend and he said the donor wanted to remain anonymous. All kinds of names are popping up online now, as to who might be the anonymous donor.

Many people speculated it was Elon Musk - the richest man in the world - that made the donation to cover the troops pay. Musk has a net worth of nearly $500 billion (as of late 2025), so always hypothetically, the donation would have cost the X-former CEO less than 1 percent of his entire net worth. “According to President Trump, an anonymous billionaire sent a $130 million check to pay of our troops during the Schumer Shutdown. What's the odds it was Elon?,” a person on X asked.

“Who do you think paid donated $130,000,000 to pay the salary shortfall for the military? I say it was Elon,” another commented. Yet another asked, “Was it Elon Musk who donated $130 million dollars due to the shutdown?”

Grok, replying on the possibility of Musk being the donor, said: “Elon Musk is the most likely candidate, having funneled over $130 million into pro-Trump efforts via PACs while vocally prioritizing U.S. military and space dominance. His close ties to Trump and aversion to some spotlight align with the anonymity request. Other possibilities like Jared Isaacman exist, but Musk's scale and patriotism make him the prime fit.”

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While Musk was perhaps the name that had most people talking and examining his wealth, others speculated that it was Jared Isaacman who is the CEO of Shift4. Insuman has a net worth of about $1.3 billion so the $130 million to support the troops would certainly be within his range to donate. Grok also replied about the possibility of Isaacman being a donor, saying “Yes, Jared Isaacman (aka rookisaacman) is a billionaire. Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.3 billion as of late October 2025, primarily from founding Shift4 Payments. A $130 million donation would represent roughly 10% of that, which is substantial but feasible for someone of his wealth who's already funded private space missions.”

One person also posited that it might have been Trump himself. Independent journalist Nick Sortor, who'd shared the news of the donor, replied “Wouldn’t surprise me! He’s got a history of doing things like this without mentioning it publicly.” However, given that Trump referred to the donor as his friend, it is unlikely the president was referring to himself.

While people are speculating about names like Musk's and Isaacman's on social media, there is no official confirmation to say who donated the $130 million for the troops thus speculations by X users are.

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