From CBS News: The White House has rejected an offer from billionaire Elon Musk to pay TSA workers during a partial government shutdown that has disrupted airport travelers across the country, several sources told CBS News.
The suggestion was taken seriously by Trump administration officials, but there could be legal challenges for Musk to cover the pay, even indirectly, because of Musk’s various government contracts, one source said.
Another reason: White House officials believe the partial shutdown is likely to end soon, according to sources.
In a post on X early Saturday morning, Musk generously wrote, “I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.”
Prominent X user Damani Felder replied, “Elon Musk is willing to do more to actually help Americans than the entire Democrat party.”
Elon Musk is willing to do more to actually help Americans than the entire Democrat party.
— Damani Felder (@TheDamaniFelder) March 21, 2026
When President Donald Trump was first asked about Musk’s offer, he said, “I think it’s great. Let him do that.”
However, journalist Nick Sortor also pointed out that “federal laws severely limit private citizens’ abilities to pay US government employees, and this is likely a reason Elon’s offer has been declined.”
“While private citizens are free to donate as much as they want to the Treasury, the Constitution requires Congress to appropriate the funds prior to disbursement from the Treasury. Which they obviously haven’t done,” Sortor added.
🚨 BREAKING: Elon Musk’s offer to pay TSA salaries has been DECLINED by the White House, per CBS
President Trump signaled his excitement over @ElonMusk’s offer, and was moving forward with trying to make it happen.
But federal laws severely limit private citizens’ abilities to… pic.twitter.com/76HUduBqle
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 25, 2026
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