Trump recommends $10,000 bonus to air traffic controllers who didn’t take time off during the government shutdown

• Trump sharply criticized air traffic controllers who called in sick during the shutdown.
• “You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record,” Trump wrote.
• He also recommended that those who didn’t call out would be given a $10,000 bonus.

President Donald Trump is not happy with air traffic controllers who called in sick during the government shutdown.

“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 wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday.

He also said that air traffic controllers who didn’t take any time off are “GREAT PATRIOTS” and that he would be “recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country.”

Air traffic controllers, like hundreds of thousands of other federal workers, have been largely working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1. Many have called in sick during that time, leading to significant delays and cancellations.

“You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record,” Trump said of those who took time off. “If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind!”

Earlier on Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed sympathy for air traffic controllers who’ve continued working without pay.

“The problem we have with air travel is that our air traffic controllers are overworked and unpaid, and many of them have called in sick,” Johnson told reporters at a press conference. “It’s a very stressful job, and even more stressful exponentially when they’re having trouble providing for their families.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.