Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, prominent advocates for the Green New Deal and critics of wealth inequality, face scrutiny for using private jets during their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. AOC has made a career out of fighting billionaires, yet she is mimicking their lifestyle.
Campaign finance records indicate that Sanders’ principal campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, spent $221,723 on private air travel in the first quarter of 2025.
The duo chartered a luxury Bombardier Challenger jet, reportedly costing up to $15,000 per hour, for several West Coast stops, including events in Bakersfield and Sacramento, California.
The use of private jets, known to be significantly more polluting than commercial flights, contrasts with their public stance on climate change and environmental responsibility. Ocasio-Cortez has previously criticized the use of private jets, stating in 2023, “For real, how many private jets do these CEOs need? It is insatiable. It is unacceptable.”
Critics argue that this mode of travel undermines their message of combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) commented on the situation, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy of advocating for environmental reforms while utilizing high-emission transportation.
“Champagne socialists Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez demand Americans surrender their pick-up trucks, air conditioning and meat from the luxe leather seats of their private jets that cost more per hour than most Americans earn in months. Their hypocrisy is staggering,” stated NRCC spokesperson Ben Petersen.
The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour aims to address issues of wealth inequality and corporate influence in politics. However, the choice of transportation has sparked a debate about the consistency between their advocacy and personal practices.
