Musk offers to pay TSA employees’ salaries during partial government shutdown

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Elon Musk offered to fund the salaries of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers as they remain unpaid amid the partial government shutdown.

The Tesla CEO shared the news on X, which is his social media platform, early Saturday morning.

“I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country,” Musk wrote in the post.

The proposal comes as TSA officers, like many federal employees, face uncertainty during the funding lapse, raising concerns about staffing shortages, longer security lines, and broader travel disruptions.

It is unclear whether such an arrangement would be legally permissible, as federal workers are typically paid through congressional appropriations and subject to strict rules governing compensation.

Lawmakers remain at odds over funding priorities, including disagreements tied to immigration and Department of Homeland Security spending, which includes the TSA.

Travelers across the country have reported delays and longer wait times at airport security checkpoints as the impasse continues, underscoring the impact on day-to-day operations.