The White House has turned down Elon Musk’s $250 million proposal to fund TSA employees’ salaries during the ongoing partial government shutdown, despite giving the offer considerable thought. As the shutdown enters its sixth week, workers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are missing paychecks after Democrats blocked a Republican bill aimed at funding the department. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the world’s wealthiest individual, had expressed his willingness to financially support TSA staff, stating on social media platform X that he wanted to help alleviate the impact on Americans traveling through airports nationwide. However, on Wednesday, the White House declined the offer, even though President Trump had previously shown enthusiasm, saying he “loved” the idea. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson acknowledged Musk’s generosity but cited significant legal hurdles due to his existing federal contracts.

The administration emphasized that the quickest resolution for ensuring TSA and all DHS employees receive their salaries is for Democrats to agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The Democrats have opposed the funding bill, seeking leverage to negotiate changes to Trump’s immigration policies. This standoff has led to numerous TSA employees resigning, extended security wait times at airports, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents being redirected to assist with TSA responsibilities, following an order from President Trump. While Musk’s offer was seriously evaluated, concerns were raised about potential conflicts of interest due to his business dealings with the government.

Musk’s involvement in paying TSA salaries could present legal complications because of his extensive business with the federal government through companies like Tesla and SpaceX. Meanwhile, the White House remains hopeful that the shutdown, which began on February 14, will soon come to a close. The widespread disruption at airports has put pressure on Congress to resume negotiations. If no agreement is reached and signed by the President, TSA workers are on the verge of missing their second full paycheck. Initially, President Trump supported Musk’s proposal, expressing his willingness to let Musk proceed by stating, “I’d love it. I think it’s great. Let him do that.”

Covering TSA workers’ pay would amount to around $250 million, two sources told CBS News. The White House has repeatedly blamed Democrats for playing politics with government workers’ paychecks. The liberal lawmakers have claimed the same about the White House and congressional Republicans. But American voters are narrowly blaming Trump and the GOP for the shutdown, according to the latest Daily Mail/ JL Partners survey released this week. More than a third of respondents cast blame on the Republicans for the long lines and security wait times at US airports.

‘It’s the Democrats who have led to this stalemate over the past six weeks,’ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday. ‘The president and the Republicans’ position has been very clear — fund the Department of Homeland Security.’ The TSA administrator said Wednesday that employees have lost an estimated $1 billion in income when combined with the 43-day shutdown in the fall of 2025.