Tyler Perry&x27;s $250K donation to TSA workers prevails after confusion Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYWed, April 1, 2026 at 2:39 AM UTC 0 It's been a bumpy ride for Tyler Perry's grand donation to TSA workers in Atlanta. After an initial cash donation was turned down due to federal rules, the "A Madea Homecoming" director gifted $250,000 worth of Visa gift cards to TSA employees at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, USA TODAY previously reported.
Tyler Perry's $250K donation to TSA workers prevails after confusion
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYWed, April 1, 2026 at 2:39 AM UTC
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It's been a bumpy ride for Tyler Perry's grand donation to TSA workers in Atlanta.
After an initial cash donation was turned down due to federal rules, the "A Madea Homecoming" director gifted $250,000 worth of Visa gift cards to TSA employees at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA TODAY previously reported.
However, another complication with the gesture seemingly occurred as local outlet 11 Alive reported that the staffers were asked to return the cards.
Perry's representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the workers were eventually allowed to hold onto the gift cards after confusion was cleared up. All of the returned gift cards, estimated to be around 100, were eventually given back to the employees.
Tyler Perry attends Joe's College Road Trip ATL special screening at Regal Atlanta Station on Feb. 13, 2026, in Atlanta.
"Since late last week, Tyler worked closely with the TSA to make sure the donation was handled properly," the spokesperson said in a statement. "At one point there was confusion over a return of about 100 gift cards from employees to TSA supervisors, but Tyler's team reconfirmed this morning that TSA's legal counsel approved the donation."
USA TODAY has reached out to the Transportation Security Administration for comment.
The donation debacle comes amid the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has left more than 64,000 airport security workers working without pay. President Donald Trump signed an order on March 27 to reroute federal funds to pay TSA staffers, who were allowed to receive their paychecks as early as March 30, as the shutdown continues.
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Tyler Perry faces $77 million sexual assault lawsuit
On Dec. 25, Perry was sued for $77 million by Mario Rodriguez, who accused the Hollywood director of making unwanted sexual advances after production of 2016's "Boo! A Madea Halloween."
In the lawsuit, Rodriguez alleged Perry invited the actor to his home to discuss future roles, only to sexually assault him. He also accused Perry of intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Mario Rodriguez, left, sued Tyler Perry, right, in December 2025 for alleged sexual assault and battery and sought $77 million in damages.
In Perry's legal response filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Feb. 27, he "vehemently" denied Rodriguez's "frivolous" allegations and called the sexual assault lawsuit both a "money grab" and an attempt to shake him down with "falsehoods."
"After being cast in a very minor role in a single Perry film a decade ago, [Rodriguez] repeatedly turned to Perry as his personal piggy bank," Perry's filing states. "When Plaintiff's repeated requests for more financial assistance were met with silence, angry at the loss of his golden goose, Plaintiff spun a false tale that the two had a nonconsensual relationship, twisting the true reason for the payments to ignite a media firestorm, all to fuel his final money grab and thrust him into the spotlight."
Perry's attorneys characterize Rodriguez's visits to the director's home from 2016 to 2019 as part of "a feigned friendship" in which "Rodriguez repeatedly preyed on Perry's generosity."
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyler Perry's $250K donation to TSA workers accepted after confusion
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: March 31, 2026 at 11:45PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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