According to U.S. media on March 24, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) on March 21: “I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA employees during this budget impasse, which is negatively affecting many Americans across the nation’s airports.”
Federal data show the TSA employs roughly 50,000 people, with an average annual salary of about $61,000 (approximately 81.33 million KRW).
The proposal follows a de facto shutdown of parts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget. Democrats have refused to approve DHS funding for five weeks in protest of the Trump administration’s immigration-enforcement policies, leaving many TSA employees working without pay. More than 360 TSA workers have resigned, and absenteeism has increased.
Airports nationwide are experiencing long security lines because of staffing shortages; some, including Philadelphia International Airport, have already closed terminal screening checkpoints.
It is unclear whether Musk’s offer could be implemented in practice. Federal law generally bars public employees from accepting outside compensation tied to their official duties.
Last year, during a 43-day shutdown, President Donald Trump said a donor provided $130 million to address missing pay for service members.
