Timothy Mellon Donation Sparks Questions Over Trump’s Amelia Earhart Files Declassification

A massive $130 million donation from reclusive heir Timothy Mellon to a fund supporting Donald Trump has drawn intense public scrutiny. Online commentators are now linking this financial support to President Trump’s recent decision to declassify files related to Amelia Earhart. The connection centers on Mellon’s known, long-standing obsession with solving the mystery of the famed aviator’s 1937 disappearance.

This substantial contribution was first reported by The New York Times. It arrived during a critical period for the former president’s political operations.

Mellon’s Millions and the Online Conspiracy Theory

Timothy Mellon, an heir to the Mellon banking fortune, made headlines for his $130 million donation. Fortune magazine also detailed a separate $125 million contribution to Trump’s 2024 campaign. This scale of financial support places him among the most significant individual political donors in modern American history.

The billionaire is famously private. According to a Vanity Fair profile, he avoids public events and often communicates by fax. This reclusiveness has fueled speculation about his potential influence. Following Trump’s announcement about the Earhart files, social media users quickly connected the dots.

Linking Financial Clout to Historical Mystery

Online claims suggest Mellon’s donations may have motivated the declassification. One X user stated, “Timothy Mellon… is obsessed with conspiracy theories about Amelia Earhart, that’s why Trump publicized old files about her disappearance.” Another post highlighted Mellon’s past $1 million donation to a group searching for Earhart’s plane.

There is no official confirmation that Mellon influenced Trump’s decision. The White House has not commented on the connection. However, Mellon’s deep personal interest in the case is a matter of public record.

Timothy Mellon’s Personal Earhart Quest

Mellon has a documented fascination with the Amelia Earhart mystery. He was a major donor to The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR). This nonprofit has dedicated decades to searching for evidence of Earhart’s final flight.

His involvement turned contentious. Mellon later sued TIGHAR, alleging the group found wreckage of Earhart’s Lockheed Electra in 2010 but concealed it. He claimed this was a scheme to secure more funding from him. Both a U.S. District Judge and an appeals court dismissed the lawsuit, finding no evidence to support his claims.

The situation highlights how immense private wealth can intersect with public policy and historical inquiry, raising questions about influence behind the scenes.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Timothy Mellon?

Timothy Mellon is an heir to the Mellon banking fortune. He is a reclusive billionaire known for making historic donations to political causes supporting Donald Trump.

How much did Timothy Mellon donate?

He donated $130 million to a fund supporting Donald Trump during a government shutdown. He also gave $125 million to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

What is the connection to Amelia Earhart?

Timothy Mellon has a known obsession with the Earhart case. He previously funded a non-profit group that searched for her missing plane for years.

Did Mellon’s donation cause the declassification?

There is no official confirmation of a direct link. The connection is currently speculative, based on Mellon’s known interests and the timing of events.

What happened in Mellon’s lawsuit?

He sued the search group TIGHAR, claiming it found Earhart’s plane but hid the discovery. The courts dismissed the lawsuit due to a lack of evidence.