Elon Musk said Saturday that he wants to cover the salaries of TSA personnel as the partial US government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding stretches into a fifth week.
In a post on X, Musk said he wanted to help workers caught in the middle of the budget impasse, as airport disruptions and staffing shortages continue to grow.
Sen. John Fetterman praised the move as “incredibly generous” and said TSA officers have been relying on food pantries and community donations to get by. The shutdown has left thousands of TSA employees working without pay, even as they are still required to report for duty.
Long security lines and absenteeism have been reported at major airports, while union officials warn that more officers may quit if the standoff continues. It is still unclear whether a private citizen can legally pay federal workers directly.
