In a Monday morning post written in full caps, the 79-year-old president ordered aviation workers back to their posts immediately, threatening to dock their pay if they don’t comply. “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!” Trump wrote. “Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’”
The warning comes as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) struggles with staffing shortages that have thrown airports into chaos. The agency says dozens of airports are seeing severe delays and cancellations due to the ongoing 40-day government shutdown.
Many controllers have been working without pay for weeks, while others have stayed home to protest the funding impasse. The result has been the worst air travel delays since the shutdown began, with more than 10,800 flights delayed and nearly 2,800 canceled on Sunday alone.
Still, Trump has no sympathy for those who skipped work. Instead, he praised those who continued showing up despite not being paid.
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“For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person,” he said.
That offer, however, only applied to what he described as the “patriotic” few. For everyone else, his message was blunt. “For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU.”
Trump’s rant didn’t stop there. He urged those “not up to the challenge” to quit altogether, a curious demand considering the FAA already faces a shortage of 2,000 to 3,000 controllers out of roughly 14,000 across the country.
Trump: All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially “docked.”… I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. pic.twitter.com/jUUYnwyOyT
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) November 10, 2025
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that things are likely to get worse before they improve. “It’s only going to get worse,” Duffy said during an interview on CNN. “The two weeks before Thanksgiving, you’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle.”
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and millions of Americans are now bracing for long lines, packed terminals, and flight delays that could stretch into the holidays.
Sunday’s travel meltdown hit passengers across the nation, from Boston to Los Angeles. At Boston Logan International Airport, hundreds of travelers stood in security lines for hours, some missing flights entirely.
Meanwhile, Trump is touting a new plan to send Americans $2,000 checks, claiming the money will come from tariff revenue.
There may be a glimmer of hope, though. On Sunday evening, the Senate voted to advance a framework for a legislative deal to reopen the government. Lawmakers could vote on the measure later this week, though details remain unclear.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
