The White House declined Elon Musk's offer to compensate TSA personnel' salary as they continue to work without pay during the partial government shutdown.
"We greatly appreciate Elon's generous offer," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Business Insider. "This would provide significant legal issues due to his involvement in federal government contracts. The quickest way to ensure TSA employees—and other DHS employees—are paid is for Democrats to finance the Department of Homeland Security.
CBS News was first to announce the White House's refusal. Musk did not immediately return a request for comment. On Saturday, the billionaire CEO tweeted on social media that he'd want to cover TSA workers' salary "during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country."
The offer was examined seriously by Trump administration officials, but Musk may face legal problems to cover the salary, even indirectly, due to his multiple government contracts, according to one source. Another reason: White House officials expect the partial government shutdown will end shortly, according to sources.
Why This News Matters
This is an example of how bad things can get when the government shuts down. Even a big offer from someone like Elon Musk wouldn't have worked because private money can't just step in and pay the federal government. Thousands of TSA workers are stuck working without pay in the meantime. This shows how real people suffer when politics gets stuck.
Legal and Ethical Barriers to Private Funding
Even if figures like Musk decided to pay TSA agents, they'd certainly face legal and ethical challenges. Federal employees' pay are determined by law and supported by congressional appropriations.
Administration officials discussed whether Musk could transfer the funds to the government's general fund, which might subsequently be used to pay the employees. According to the United States Office of Government Ethics, it is illegal for an outside individual to pay government employees directly.
Two reports estimated the cost at over $250 million. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, underlined that while the gesture was appreciated, legal limits rendered it unfeasible.
The administration's priority remains to resolve the funding dispute through Congress rather than accepting private financial intervention.
Impact of Shutdown on TSA Workers
As of Wednesday, TSA employees have missed at least one salary because lawmakers were still deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
TSA employees are about to miss their second full payment since the partial shutdown started. They have only received one paycheck, for half pay, toward the beginning of the shutdown.
Many TSA personnel live paycheck to paycheck, making it difficult for them to pay for rent, groceries, and other needs, Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told the House Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday.
"Officers are reportedly sleeping in their cars at airports to save gas money, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second and third jobs to make ends meet, all while expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the traveling public," according to McNeill.
"Many have received eviction notices, lost their childcare, missed bill payments and been charged late fees, damaged their credit, defaulted on loans, and have been unable to even qualify for a loan to help ease the financial burden during the shutdown," according to her.
The TSA's interim director stated on Wednesday that as of Friday, agency employees will have lost a billion dollars in revenue from this 40-day closure and the 43-day shutdown last fall.
Political Standoff and Government Response
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, blamed Democrats for the closure and called for funding to be restored.
"It's the Democrats who have led to this stalemate over the past six weeks," Leavitt said Wednesday. "The president and the Republicans' position has been very clear — fund the Department of Homeland Security."
"We have attempted in good faith numerous times … to go to the Democrats with reasonable offers," she told the crowd. "The cruelty is the point." "They want the chaos."
Democrats are demanding for changes to immigration enforcement practices before agreeing to finance the agency.
As a precaution, the Trump administration dispatched Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to handle airport delays. Trump indicated Wednesday on Truth Social that he may send in National Guard men to assist at airports.
"I would love it. I believe it's fantastic. "Let him do that," the Trump told reporters Monday of Musk's offer, while also thanking ICE personnel stationed at more than a dozen airports.
"Thank you to our amazing ICE Patriots for your assistance. He wrote, "It makes a big difference."
Marcus Johnson
Marcus Johnson is a political analyst and investigative journalist specializing in U.S. politics, Congressional affairs, and electoral campaigns. With a background in political science from Georgetown University, he offers in-depth coverage of Washington's power dynamics and policy debates.
