White House turns down Elon Musk offer to pay TSA agents during DHS shutdown

The White House has turned down billionaire Elon Musk’s offer to pay TSA agents salaries during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown that affects the airport agents, citing legal reasons. 

DHS has been shut down for over a month, leaving tens of thousands of agents working without pay. 

“We greatly appreciate Elon’s generous offer. This would pose great legal challenges due to his involvement with federal government contracts” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement. 

“The fastest way to ensure TSA employees — and all DHS employees — get paid is for Democrats to fund the Department of Homeland Security,” she said 

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of social media platform X, along with being the wealthiest person in the world, offered to pay the salaries on Saturday. 

“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 on X. 

President Trump said Monday that he would “love it” if Musk paid the agents’ salaries. 

“I think its’s great, let him do that,” Trump told reporters. 

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

More Administration News

Hegseth: Military chaplains will no longer display rank

Here are Iran’s 5 conditions for ending war after rejecting US ceasefire plan

Senate GOP-backed deal to end DHS shutdown draws extensive fire

Jeffries warns Republicans on redistricting after Democrat flips Mar-a-Lago seat

Murphy on ‘$1.5 BILLION’ stock trade before Trump Iran ...

Cruz asks Senate to hold his salary during DHS shutdown

Mar-a-Lago flip in Florida sends warning sign for Trump, GOP

Trump makes public call for clean 18-month FISA 702 extension

Navarro: Supreme Court ruling on tariffs ‘best possible outcome’ for ...

Judge refuses to drop lawsuit over Musk role as Trump adviser

US issues ‘worldwide caution’ alert to travelers

51 percent in new poll say they hope Democrats take control of House

White House signals ‘core objectives’ met on war as Iran vows ...

McCarthy says senators can’t leave without funding DHS: ‘You’re really ...

The SAVE America Act is bad news for Republicans

Smith memo: Trump had classified docs shared with just 6 people, others tied to ...

16 US cities rank among happiest in the world, 2026 index shows

AFGE president tells lawmakers ‘do not get on a plane’ for Easter recess ...

© The Hill