The White House rejects Musk's proposal to pay the salaries of Transportation Security Administration staff.

The White House on Wednesday rejected billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s proposal to pay wages for U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers during the partial government shutdown.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said, “We are very grateful for Elon’s generous offer. But because he is involved in federal government contracts, this would pose significant legal challenges. The fastest way to ensure TSA employees and all Department of Homeland Security staff receive their paychecks is for Democrats to fund the Department of Homeland Security.”

As of Wednesday local time, due to the ongoing deadlock in Congress over DHS funding, TSA employees have missed at least one paycheck.

Funding shortages have led to staffing shortages at airports across the country, with wait times lasting several hours.

In response, the Trump administration deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to handle the chaos at airports.

Last Saturday, Musk posted on social media expressing his hope to pay TSA workers’ wages during this funding deadlock that is negatively impacting the lives of many Americans at airports nationwide.

President Trump on Monday said he would be “very happy” if Musk paid these employees’ wages.

“I think that’s great, just let him do it,” Trump told reporters.

Musk’s proposal was also warmly welcomed by U.S. lawmakers.

Georgia Republican Congressman Mike Collins responded to Musk’s post, thanking him and calling him a “great American.”

Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman commented on the post, saying the proposal was “very generous.”

He wrote, “TSA workers across the country can barely make ends meet relying on food banks and community donations. I am still the only Democrat voting with Republican colleagues to fully fund DHS to ensure workers get paid. This should never have happened.”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials told House members on Wednesday that since the government shutdown began, over 480 airport security officers have resigned, and by the end of this week, the agency is expected to lose $1 billion due to unpaid wages.

If Musk’s proposal is accepted, it would not be the first time billionaires have donated to the government to pay employees’ wages during Trump’s second term. Mellon Bank heir Timothy Mellon donated $130 million to pay military wages during the 43-day government shutdown from October to November last year.