In an unexpected twist, the White House has turned down an offer from Elon Musk, who proposed to contribute $250 million to cover the salaries of TSA workers affected by the ongoing partial government shutdown. Currently in its sixth week, the shutdown has resulted in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees going without pay after Democrats rejected a Republican bill intended to fund the department. Musk, known as the world’s wealthiest individual, made his intentions public via a post on X, expressing his desire to alleviate the financial burdens faced by airport staff nationwide. ‘I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse,’ Musk wrote on Monday. Despite President Trump’s initial enthusiasm for the proposal, the White House dismissed the offer on Wednesday, citing potential legal complications.

Abigail Jackson, a spokeswoman for the White House, acknowledged the generosity behind Musk’s offer but pointed out legal hurdles due to his extensive dealings with federal government contracts. ‘We greatly appreciate Elon’s generous offer,’ she stated, emphasizing the complexities involved. The administration maintains that the swiftest resolution lies in the Democrats’ approval of funding for the DHS, which encompasses entities like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection. The ongoing stalemate has led to significant disruptions, with numerous TSA employees resigning, extended security wait times at airports, and ICE agents stepping in to fill the gaps usually covered by TSA staff.

Concerns over conflicts of interest have been a significant factor in the decision to decline Musk’s offer, given his executive roles in Tesla and SpaceX, both of which engage in numerous government contracts. However, there is a sense of optimism within the White House that the shutdown’s end is near, as the mounting airport chaos pressures Congress to accelerate negotiations. Having started on February 14, the shutdown may soon impact TSA workers further, as they face missing a second paycheck if a resolution is not reached quickly. President Trump’s initial support for Musk’s proposal was clear when he remarked, ‘I’d love it. I think it’s great. Let him do that.’ Yet, the focus remains on legislative solutions to restore normalcy and ensure DHS employees receive their pay.

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.