Musk Offers to Pay TSA Salaries Amid Shutdown

On Saturday, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, offered to cover the salaries of federal airport security workers who have faced multiple payment delays since the government’s partial shutdown began in February.

This shutdown occurred due to Democrats filibustering funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over issues related to immigration enforcement. The repercussions have been significant, with many Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees taking time off or quitting, leading to longer wait times at airports. Musk made his offer public in a post on X.

During this funding crisis that is negatively impacting the lives of so many Americans at airports across the country, I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA employees.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 21, 2026

Musk stated, “During this cash crunch that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports across the country, I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA employees.”

In response to the ongoing shutdown, DHS began implementing “emergency measures” for various agencies, including the TSA, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Interestingly, the shutdown is not impacting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as President Trump had previously secured $75 billion in funding for the agency, ensuring its operations would be funded through 2029.

The Democrats have pushed for new regulations on ICE following tragic incidents involving the agency. Demands have included changes like requiring agents to stop wearing masks and obtaining a “judicial warrant” before entering private property.