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Sen. Bernie Sanders Spent Over $550,000 on Private Jet Travel Using Campaign Funds
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., spent more than $550,000 on private jet travel in 2025 using campaign funds, according to a review of Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. The spending occurred while Sanders was touring the country with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on their “Fight Oligarchy” tour.
The majority of the private jet expenditures came during the first two quarters of the year, coinciding with the most active period of the nationwide tour. The self-identified Democratic socialists held rallies across multiple states, promoting their progressive agenda while criticizing economic inequality.
In April, Sanders was photographed boarding a luxury Bombardier Challenger private jet at Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, California. According to sources, Ocasio-Cortez was also spotted boarding the same aircraft. Video footage later captured both politicians exiting the plane in Sacramento, where they hosted a second rally that same day.
The private jet operated by Ventura Air Services touts “one of the widest cabins of any business jet available today” and provides “superior cabin comfort for its passengers.” According to the company’s website, such flights can cost up to $15,000 per hour. FEC filings show Sanders spent at least $354,000 with Ventura Jets alone. Additional private aviation expenses went to N-Jet and Cirrus Aviation Services.
N-Jet markets itself by emphasizing its “personal touch,” promising customers they will “arrive in style with your luxury, comfort, and safety always top of mind.”
The extensive private jet usage stands in stark contrast to both politicians’ public stances on climate change. Sanders has been a vocal supporter of the Green New Deal and has frequently referred to climate change as an “existential threat.” Ocasio-Cortez has similarly criticized private jet use by executives, stating in 2023: “For real, how many private jets do these CEOs need? It is insatiable. It is unacceptable.”
When questioned about his private jet travel last year on Fox News’ “Special Report,” Sanders defended the practice, telling host Bret Baier: “That’s the only way to get around. 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. You think I’m gonna be sitting on a waiting line at United…while 30,000 people are waiting?”
Environmental experts have highlighted the significant carbon footprint of private aviation. According to a 2021 Transport and Environment report, private jets can be up to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights.
This is not Sanders’ first significant expenditure on private aviation. During his unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign, FEC filings show he spent over $1.9 million on private jets through companies including Apollo Jets and Advanced Aviation Team.
Conservative political communications consultant Matt Gorman criticized the spending pattern, saying: “You don’t expect a socialist to fly commercial do you? There’s no bigger hypocrite than the liberal who chastises us for eating meat and using gas stoves, yet flies in private jets.”
Beyond transportation expenses, FEC filings also reveal that Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign spent heavily on luxury accommodations during the tour. Her campaign paid The Leo Kent Hotel, a boutique high-rise in Tucson, $3,165.76 around the time of a “Fight Oligarchy” rally held in the city. Throughout 2025, her campaign spent thousands at other upscale properties including the Asher Adams Hotel in Salt Lake City, the Hotel Vermont in Burlington, The Langham-Huntington in Pasadena, California, Hotel El Convento in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Lansdowne Resort & Spa in rural Virginia.
In total, Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign reportedly spent more than $53,000 on upscale hotels across the country in 2025. When asked for comment regarding these expenditures and the private jet travel, representatives for both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez did not respond by publication time.
The spending patterns have raised questions about the consistency between the politicians’ public messaging about economic inequality and climate action and their campaign spending practices while delivering those messages.
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7 Comments
Wow, over half a million on private jets is a significant expense. I’m curious to learn more about the justification and whether it was the most efficient use of campaign funds, especially given Sanders’ advocacy around climate change and income inequality.
Hmm, over $550K on private jets for a 2025 campaign seems quite high. I wonder if there were any efficiencies or necessity behind this level of private travel, or if it was simply a matter of convenience and comfort. It’s an interesting data point to consider.
I’m a bit surprised to see Sanders using so much campaign funding for private air travel, given his public stances. Then again, the demands of a national tour can make commercial flights challenging. Still, it’s worth examining whether this was the most prudent use of resources.
Interesting to see the extent of Sanders’ private jet use during the campaign. While he’s championed combating climate change and economic inequality, the optics of luxury air travel could draw some scrutiny. Curious to hear his justification for these expenses.
While the private jet spending may raise some eyebrows, I imagine the logistics of coordinating a cross-country tour with Ocasio-Cortez made this a logistical necessity. Still, the optics are certainly interesting to consider.
While the private jet spending may seem at odds with Sanders’ public stances, the demands of a national tour schedule likely made this a practical necessity. Still, the optics are worth examining further to ensure campaign resources were used prudently.
Interesting data point on Sanders’ campaign expenses. Private jet travel is certainly a luxury, but the logistics of coordinating a nationwide tour with Ocasio-Cortez may have necessitated this approach. It will be worth looking into the specifics to better understand the rationale.