India, Oct. 26 -- Timothy Mellon has been identified as the elusive billionaire philanthropist who contributed $130 million in order to help Trump administration pay US military salaries during the government shutdown.

On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that his "patriotic friend" made a donation to support the nation and the military.

In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell acknowledged that the Department of War accepted the huge payment on Thursday to cover the salaries of service members.

The identity of the millionaire who donated the anonymous donation was a mystery until Saturday, when the New York Times disclosed it, citing two people with knowledge of the situation.

The 83-year-old Mellon has avoided the limelight ...