Filmmaker and billionaire Tyler Perry attempted to provide direct financial support to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents working without pay at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but federal regulations prevented him from doing so.
On March 26, 2026, Perry visited the busy airport amid an ongoing partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Tyler Perry Tries To Pay TSA Workers — and Is Thwarted
Many TSA agents have gone without paychecks since mid-February, yet they continue to perform critical security screening duties to keep air travel moving. The funding lapse has also contributed to longer security lines at some airports.
According to multiple reports, Perry arrived prepared to distribute cash directly to the agents as a gesture of appreciation and assistance. However, Department of Homeland Security rules prohibit TSA employees from accepting monetary gifts—or equivalents such as gift cards—while on duty.
These federal ethics regulations aim to avoid any appearance of conflicts of interest or undue influence, particularly in a workplace setting like airport security checkpoints.
Perry ultimately did not hand out the money. Instead, he reportedly spent time talking with the agents, shaking hands, and thanking them for their dedication during the difficult period. Sources indicated that the high-profile visit itself helped boost morale among the workers.
Aaron Baker, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), noted that while direct cash gifts to individual agents on the job are restricted, unions representing TSA officers face fewer limitations. Unions can accept donations and distribute them to members in accordance with guidelines, offering a potential alternative channel for support.
