Trump Offers $10,000 Bonus to Controllers Who Stayed On Duty, Threatens Pay Cuts for Absences

On November 10, 2025, President Trump proposed giving $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who remained on duty throughout the shutdown while threatening pay cuts and demanding resignations from those who called out sick. When implemented, only 776 controllers with perfect shutdown attendance received the bonus — roughly 7% of those who worked without pay — drawing union criticism that thousands were excluded.