Trump pledges $10,000 loyalty bonus for unpaid air-traffic controllers amid record-breaking government shutdown crippling U.S. aviation and federal operations.
In a dramatic move to end chaos in America’s skies, President Donald Trump on Monday demanded that all air-traffic controllers immediately return to work—offering a $10,000 “patriotism bonus” to those who remained on duty despite not being paid for over a month.
The historic government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, began on October 1 and has crippled key federal services. Over 13,000 air-traffic controllers, 50,000 TSA agents, and more than a million federal employees have gone without pay for weeks. Many were forced to call in sick, take unpaid leave, or skip work altogether—bringing air travel to near paralysis in several cities.
Trump praised the “dedicated men and women who kept the nation’s skies safe under immense hardship,” vowing to personally ensure they are compensated. “America flies because of you,” he declared. The President’s dramatic incentive, seen as both a morale booster and a tactical pressure point on Congress, comes amid fierce partisan standoff over budget approvals.
As airports brace for another turbulent week, the White House hopes Trump’s high-stakes gamble will restore critical operations and tilt public sentiment in his favor.
