Trump offers $10,000 bonus to air traffic controllers who stayed during shutdown and threatens those who left

Published November 10, 2025 1:20pm ET



Air traffic controllers faced either President Donald Trump‘s wrath or gratitude on Monday, depending on their actions during the government shutdown.

Trump said any air traffic controllers who have stayed on during the shutdown will be commended and recommended to receive a $10,000 bonus, while those who have taken time off will receive a “negative mark, at least in my mind,” against their records.

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