Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has come under scrutiny for spending over $221,000 on private jet travel during the first quarter of 2025 as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. The tour, aimed at challenging the influence of billionaires and corporate interests, has drawn criticism for the apparent contradiction between its message and the mode of transportation used.
According to Federal Election Commission filings, Sanders’ principal campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, allocated $221,723 to charter private jets from companies including Cirrus Aviation Services, N-Jet, and Ventura Jets. These expenses accounted for nearly 75% of the campaign’s total transportation costs during that period.
In response to questions about the expenditures, Sanders stated that the use of private jets was necessary to meet the demands of a rigorous campaign schedule. “You run a campaign, and you do three or four or five rallies in a week. [It is] the only way you can get around to talk to 30,000 people,” he said during an interview on Fox News’ “Special Report.” He added, “No apologies for that. That’s what campaign travel is about. We’ve done it in the past. We’re gonna do it in future.”
The tour, which began in February 2025, has included stops in various states, drawing large crowds. For instance, a rally in Denver attracted 34,000 attendees, surpassing the size of events held during Sanders’ previous presidential campaigns.
Despite the tour’s success in mobilizing supporters, the use of private jets has led to accusations of hypocrisy, particularly given Sanders’ advocacy for environmental issues and criticism of the wealthy’s carbon footprints. Critics have pointed out that private jets emit significantly more carbon dioxide per passenger than commercial flights, undermining the environmental message often associated with Sanders’ platform.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) commented on the situation, stating, “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.”
As the tour continues, the debate over the alignment between Sanders’ campaign practices and his political messaging remains a point of contention among observers and constituents.
