Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is under scrutiny after a tense exchange over his luxury Jeep and the taxpayer funds used to purchase it. The confrontation followed a Fox Baltimore report detailing the mayor’s use of a government-issued 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer that cost taxpayers a total project price of $163,495. The luxury Jeep has since become a flashpoint as the city faces an $85 million budget deficit.
Scott, a Democrat who has served as mayor since 2020, pushed back forcefully when questioned at a press conference. After repeated questioning, he dismissed the inquiry as “idiotic” and accused the reporter of political motives. “Just because you didn’t get the answer that you wanted in your racist slant, that’s one thing,” Scott said, alleging a “right-wing” effort to discredit him.
The Fox Baltimore report found Scott’s vehicle to be the most expensive government-issued executive vehicle in Maryland, nearly double the cost of the next highest. Scott disputed that claim, arguing that inflation and security needs were ignored and pointing to the cost of President Trump’s armored presidential vehicle as a comparison.
The luxury Jeep also drew attention due to its fuel efficiency, rated at 14 miles per gallon, despite Scott’s frequent advocacy for climate policies. Critics highlighted the contrast as Baltimore residents confront fiscal strain and public safety challenges.
Republican Maryland Delegate Kathy Szeliga reacted on social media, writing, “Mayor Scott could not defend using tax dollars to buy his luxury vehicle, so he called the reporter a racist.” Other conservative commentators echoed similar criticisms online.
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office told Fox News Digital that the $163,495 figure reflects total project costs, including required safety and communications modifications for use by the Baltimore Police Department’s Executive Protection Unit. The office said the vehicle was purchased at standard MSRP in February 2025 and approved by the Board of Estimates on September 18, 2024.
The spokesperson also disputed claims that the luxury Jeep is the most expensive executive vehicle in the state, arguing the report lacked full documentation and context regarding vehicle replacement cycles and security protocols.
