Trump reveals ‘very wealthy gentleman’ offered to fund troops' paychecks amid shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC: As the government shutdown stretches into its second week, President Donald Trump says he has a financial backup plan courtesy of a mysterious “very wealthy gentleman.”

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, October 14, during a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei, Trump mentioned an unnamed donor who allegedly offered to cover the paychecks of US troops if the shutdown cuts off their funding.

“You have the money to pay the troops…?” one reporter asked the president.

“I do,” Trump replied. “I actually have a man who is a very wealthy person… 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.”

Trump added, “And I said… look, we are not gonna need it. We are going to take care of our troops, but this was a position that is being forced upon us by Democrats.” 

Trump says Democrats are ‘holding the military hostage’ as budget talks stall

The president’s comments come as the government shutdown enters dangerous territory. Thousands of federal workers have already been laid off, and the budget standoff shows no sign of cooling down.

Trump’s remarks were the latest in a week of mudslinging between the White House and Democrats. The 79-year-old is making sure everyone knows who he believes started it.

He has repeatedly accused Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of “holding the military hostage.” Trump insists his administration still has money to pay troops but says the Democrats’ “dangerous” refusal to compromise is forcing this standoff.

“We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS,” he posted on Truth Social, referring to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. “I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government Shutdown.”

That post came on the 11th day of the shutdown, just days before troops were set to miss their next paychecks on October 15. There are roughly 1.3 million active-duty service members whose pay could be frozen if the government doesn’t reopen soon.

Trump blames Chuck Schumer and Dems as shutdown intensifies

Over the weekend, Trump made it clear he was taking matters into his own hands. “I have directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to use all available funds to make sure that US troops are paid despite the ongoing radical left government shutdown,” he said.

Behind the scenes, the administration is tightening its belt. The White House reportedly began laying off more than 4,100 federal employees what insiders are calling a “mass purge.”

Before the shutdown began on October 1, Trump’s team had already ordered all federal agencies to submit their “reduction-in-force” plans to the Office of Management and Budget. Now, those cuts are taking effect.

But Trump hasn’t missed a chance to personally go after Schumer. “Chuck Schumer recently said, ‘Every day gets better’ during their Radical Left Shutdown,” he wrote on his Truth Social tirade. “I DISAGREE! 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.”

Trump wants the Democrats to reopen the government before negotiating further. “The Radical Left Democrats should OPEN THE GOVERNMENT, and then we can work together to address Healthcare, and many other things that they want to destroy,” he added.

Meanwhile, analysts warn that the ongoing shutdown could soon rival some of the longest in US history if lawmakers fail to reach a deal.

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