Timothy Mellon, the top donor to both Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has emerged as a modern power player in American politics, despite his reluctance to speak to the media. With an estimated fortune close to $1 billion, Mellon has donated a total of $237 million to federal political committees and at least another $60 million to state candidates and the border wall. His political philosophy has evolved over the years, departing from his family’s Republican roots to support causes backed by Gloria Steinem and Ralph Nader before becoming a major supporter of Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Despite being the grandson of banking titan Andrew Mellon, Timothy Mellon earned a significant portion of his wealth himself. In the early 1980s, he borrowed from the Mellon Bank to purchase three struggling railroads and built them into a $600 million empire over four decades. His approach to business involved cutting costs and increasing efficiency, which led to conflict with unions and employees but resulted in financial success. After selling his railroad company in 2022 for $600 million, Mellon turned his attention more fully toward political contributions, becoming one of the largest political donors in the country.
Mellon’s philanthropic contributions have extended beyond political causes to niche interests, such as donating $1 million to help search for Amelia Earhart’s airplane. Despite some disputes over his charitable donations, Mellon remained committed to politics, with significant contributions to the pro-Trump America First Action super PAC and to a crowdfunding effort for a border wall. His sale of his railroad company in 2022 provided him with more cash at his disposal, solidifying his position as a major player in American politics.
Forbes estimates that Mellon’s inheritance, wise investments, and business ventures could amount to close to $1 billion, although Mellon himself denies being a billionaire. He has continued to increase his political donations, supporting both Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with multimillion-dollar contributions. His defiance and willingness to support controversial causes have set him apart as a unique and influential figure in American politics. Despite his wealth and political power, Mellon remains a private and enigmatic figure, choosing to let his donations speak for themselves.
