President Donald Trump has openly expressed his discontent with air traffic controllers who opted not to work without pay during the lengthy government shutdown. Despite laws requiring back pay post-shutdown, Trump criticised those absent, highlighting tensions amid the financial strain on many federal workers. He suggested rewarding those who continued working with $10,000 bonuses, while threatening to withhold pay from those who did not.

 

The shutdown affected essential workers like air traffic controllers who were obligated to work unpaid, unlike military personnel who still received salaries. To manage expenses, some workers took on additional jobs. Trump’s criticism was reiterated during a Fox News interview where he acknowledged these financial burdens, yet emphasised his displeasure with absentees. He praised those who continued their duties and worked extra hours.

 

Trump's administration has exhibited inconsistencies regarding back pay, with efforts reported to skirt the law mandating compensation. A draft memo contradicting previous guidance from the Office of Management and Budget suggested preventing furloughed workers from getting back pay, intensifying the confusion among federal employees.

 

In response to staffing shortages, the FAA began cancelling flights, sparking further criticism from Trump. Through social media, he urged air traffic controllers to resume their work, reaffirming his stance amidst operational disruptions at major airports. Meanwhile, Trump downplayed economic anxiety among voters, dismissing concerns as misinformation despite a poll indicating dissatisfaction with his economic management.

 

During this turbulent period, Trump also addressed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), arguing that some beneficiaries were exploiting the system. He supported assistance for those genuinely in need but criticised "able-bodied" individuals allegedly leaving jobs to claim benefits. His administration filed a briefing to maintain paused full federal funding for SNAP. The Senate has since passed a bill to ensure SNAP provisions continue until September, now awaiting House approval.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Trump criticised air traffic controllers absent during the shutdown and proposed bonuses for those who worked.
• Reports indicate the administration's efforts to avoid back pay obligations for furloughed employees.
• The Senate passed a bill to maintain SNAP funding, with further actions pending from the House.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-dismisses-financial-concerns-air-traffic-controllers-shutdown-rcna243131 2025-11-12

 

 

Who care what Trump thinks?

 

The USA needs air traffic controllers, it does not need Trump.

11 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

The USA needs air traffic controllers

No it doesnt. Air travel is a luxury

46 minutes ago, angryguy said:

No it doesnt. Air travel is a luxury

You didn't know that there are quite a few cargo flights?

What’s new old Donnie never had a problem stiffing contractors what on earth makes you think he would care about air traffic controllers???some president ehh???

Air traffic controlers make good  money.

They know if they keep working they will get back pay.

If they can't get through a month without pay, f ' em.

If they stopped working , they're probably lefties that 

want airtraffic stopped .

Good on Trump to reward the good ones , although 10 k usd is a bit much.

On 11/12/2025 at 8:16 AM, angryguy said:

No it doesnt. Air travel is a luxury

So, trump will give back the jet to Qatar?

10 k to air traffic controllers on top of the 5k everyone got because of dodge and now another 2k because of tariffs everyone did get this money didn't they ?

I suppose many of the air traffic controllers took the time off to build gold toilets.

Good idea Trump.

 

Blame anybody else for your screwups, but NEVER accept the blame yourself.

Due to my job I know a few air traffic controllers.  During this shutdown the closest any of those came to feeling the pinch is a guy who pays alimony and has some loans to pay off.  But he is surviving and continued to work.  In fact, everyone I know continued to work.  Some were critical of those who didn't work, universally blaming that behaviour on opportunistic politics rather than any financial burden, which matches @FlorC opinion above.  All of these people expressed concern about the pressure to keep working, keep doing more to cover for the absentees, despite increased overloading risks.  None of them reported any safety issues, but overloading increases the risk of a safety incident.

 

I'm glad the shutdown appears to be getting sorted now, I don't care who is to blame but it does make the US look bad on the world stage and I hope it never happens again.

On 11/12/2025 at 8:05 AM, JimHuaHin said:

Who care what Trump thinks?

 

The USA needs air traffic controllers, it does not need Trump.

You are 50% right, the USA needs both!

Yes I agree that the USA need all the Air Traffic Controller a lot more than anyone needs Donald J Trump.

  Only the MAGA Trump supporters will dissagree.  

The world will be better off when Trump is out of power and some new blood is in the American Parliament

system. IMO

1 hour ago, Stargeezr said:

Yes I agree that the USA need all the Air Traffic Controller a lot more than anyone needs Donald J Trump.

 

If only he hadn't been elected...  You know, like the founding fathers wrote it.

 

You can blame the Dems.  2024 was theirs to lose but between the old geezer who wasn't fit to stand trial and the DEI VP, they blew it.  Bigly.

 

20 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

You are 50% right, the USA needs both!

Wrong as usual.

 

The USA needs qualified air traffic controllers far more than it needs Trump. ATC controllers need years of training.

 

Any idiot can become president. Trump has proved that beyond any shadow of a doubt.

9 minutes ago, billd766 said:

Wrong as usual.

 

The USA needs qualified air traffic controllers far more than it needs Trump. ATC controllers need years of training.

 

Any idiot can become president. Trump has proved that beyond any shadow of a doubt.

 

Your "wrong as usual" jab? Projecting. America needs a commander-in-chief who delivers peace, prosperity, and pilots on time—not snarky hot takes. Trump proved leadership isn't idiot-proof; it's winner-proof. Buckle up—his second term's cleared for takeoff....

39 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

 

Your "wrong as usual" jab? Projecting. America needs a commander-in-chief who delivers peace, prosperity, and pilots on time—not snarky hot takes. Trump proved leadership isn't idiot-proof; it's winner-proof. Buckle up—his second term's cleared for takeoff....

The current president has NOT delivered peace anywhere, he certainly has not delivered prosperity in the USA nor anywhere else in the world with his pointless tariffs, and as for (snip from your post)

 

Trump proved leadership isn't idiot-proof.

If that is correct, why is it that he is so disliked across the world, and even in the USA?

 

I do understand that you are a Trump supporter and take umbrage at any words spoken against him. Take your blinkers off and look at Trump from the real world point of view.

30 minutes ago, billd766 said:

The current president has NOT delivered peace anywhere, he certainly has not delivered prosperity in the USA nor anywhere else in the world with his pointless tariffs, and as for (snip from your post)

 

Trump proved leadership isn't idiot-proof.

If that is correct, why is it that he is so disliked across the world, and even in the USA?

 

I do understand that you are a Trump supporter and take umbrage at any words spoken against him. Take your blinkers off and look at Trump from the real world point of view.

Trump’s second term (10 months in) has delivered peace (no new U.S. wars, Abraham Accords now covering five-plus Arab states, Ukraine ceasefire talks moving fast), prosperity (GDP humming at 3.2%, 1.8 million new jobs, inflation tamed to 2.1% from Biden’s 9.1% peak), and tariffs that work (China finally cracking on IP theft, $200 billion in manufacturing roaring back home).

You call tariffs “pointless”? They forced fairer trade—U.S. exports up 15% to allies, deficits slashed $100 billion with Mexico and Canada. But let’s cut to your “disliked everywhere” claim: It’s not failure—it’s disruptive success against globalist elites who hate losing their gravy train. Popularity? He’s more liked than Macron, Scholz, or Trudeau, wins 90% of Republicans, and his “America First” resets alliances for strength, not applause. Dislike is just the sound of the status quo cracking.

 

Trump proved the presidency isn’t idiot-proof; it’s winner-proof. He took a sluggish economy, supercharged it to 4%+ growth pre-COVID, added 7 million jobs, cut unemployment to 3.5% (50-year low), and hiked median incomes $6,000. No new wars—first in decades. Abraham Accords? Historic peace. NATO? Allies finally paying up.Your “real world” view? It’s filtered through the same media machine that called his 2016 win “impossible.” Take your blinkers off: The world doesn’t hate Trump—they hate losing control. He delivers for Americans, not applause. That’s leadership.