Musk offers to pay TSA workers while Dems foil federal funding
Billionaire Elon Musk has posted an offer on social media suggesting he pay TSA employees while Democrats foil federal funding for those paychecks.
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
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 21, 2026
BREAKING – Democrats are furious after Elon Musk offered to personally pay the salaries of TSA agents nationwide during the DHS funding standoff, stripping what they see as their main leverage over immigration policy and accusing him of undermining their authority. pic.twitter.com/KJ0ib0zxy3
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) March 21, 2026
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Elon Musk posted on X Saturday morning offering to personally cover the salaries of TSA personnel during the funding impasse that “is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports… pic.twitter.com/iahPIhaFtM
— M.A. Rothman (@MichaelARothman) March 21, 2026
“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,” he wrote.
The Democrats in Congress repeatedly have refused to vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Transportation Security Administration, because they want to slash funding for President Donald Trump’s border security agenda, which includes enforcing border and immigration laws.
They have demanded a long list of special actions, including putting federal officers enforcing immigration law under the thumb of local judges who may be activists opposing Trump’s work.
They reportedly are furious with the offer, as it would take away a main negotiating point for them.
Fox Business explained, “The DHS shutdown has left TSA agents working without pay, triggering staffing shortages and long airport lines nationwide, while raising concerns about the ability to prevent attacks. Republicans have pushed to fund DHS, while Democrats have sought standalone funding for agencies like TSA that would exclude immigration operations.”
The airport security workers are considered by the government to be essential, and must report for work even during a shutdown.
Major U.S. airports have reported significant delays, sometimes hours, as security wait times grow during to absenteeism among the ranks.
The report noted there were no details of Musk’s proposal, nor is it certain that it is legally possible for an individual to pay federal employees.