Chicago – November 10, 2025
Former President Donald Trump issued a stark demand on Monday, telling unpaid air traffic controllers to “get back to work NOW” as the U.S. government shutdown stretched into its sixth week and airport chaos deepened nationwide. Trump, via social media, criticized those controllers who had called in sick, warning of pay deductions for absences and offering a $10,000 bonus to those who worked without interruption, declaring them “GREAT PATRIOTS”.
The shutdown, now the longest in American history, has led to more than 2,000 flight cancellations and thousands of delays, as major airports face severe staffing shortages and escalating disruptions. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned conditions will worsen near Thanksgiving, stating air travel could be reduced to a trickle if the crisis continues.
While lawmakers made progress toward a bipartisan deal to reopen the government, operations and pay for essential workers like air traffic controllers remain uncertain, stoking further frustration among travelers and aviation employees.
