White House Rejects Elon Musk’s Offer to Fund TSA During Shutdown

The White House has declined an offer from Elon Musk to cover the salaries of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel during the ongoing partial government shutdown, citing legal challenges stemming from Musk’s existing government contracts. The offer came as airport delays worsened across the United States, impacting travelers during the busy spring break season.

Musk’s Proposal and Initial Reactions

On Saturday, Musk proposed to pay the salaries of TSA employees through X, formerly known as Twitter, stating the funding impasse was “negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.” President Donald Trump initially expressed support for the idea on Monday, stating, “I’d love it. I think it’s great. Let him do that.” The estimated cost to cover TSA salaries during the shutdown is approximately $250 million, according to sources.

Legal Concerns and White House Response

Despite Trump’s endorsement, the White House, through spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, rejected the offer. The primary reason cited was potential legal complications arising from Musk’s numerous contracts with the federal government. The U.S. Office of Government Ethics prohibits individuals from directly paying government employees. Administration officials reportedly discussed the possibility of Musk donating the funds to the government’s general fund, which could then be used to pay the workers, but this option also faced legal hurdles.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed Democrats for the shutdown, calling for the restoration of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “It’s the Democrats who have led to this stalemate over the past six weeks,” Leavitt said. “The president and the Republicans’ position has been very clear — fund the Department of Homeland Security.”

Impact of the Shutdown and Staffing Concerns

The partial government shutdown has left approximately 50,000 airport employees working without pay for several weeks VG. As essential employees, TSA screeners continue to report for duty despite the lack of compensation, leading to increased resignations, sick-outs, and concerns about airport security and passenger safety. Some US airports have also seen the deployment of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers Aftenposten.

Looking Ahead

The White House believes the shutdown is likely to end soon, contributing to the decision to decline Musk’s offer. Yet, the situation highlights the strain on essential workers and the potential need for unconventional solutions during government funding impasses. The resolution of the DHS funding dispute remains the fastest way to ensure TSA employees receive their pay.