Sen. Bernie Sanders spent over $550,000 on private jet travel in 2025 using campaign funds, primarily during his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The majority of this expenditure occurred in the first two quarters of the year, coinciding with their tour stops. Notably, Sanders was seen boarding a luxury Bombardier Challenger jet, which can cost up to $15,000 per hour, and made similar expenditures with other private jet companies.
Despite advocating for aggressive climate policies like the Green New Deal, Sanders defended his private jet use, stating it was necessary for reaching large audiences quickly during campaign events. He has a history of similar spending, having incurred over $1.9 million on private jets in his unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign. Critics, including other climate activists, have highlighted the hypocrisy of such spending in the face of environmental concerns, particularly since private jets have a significantly higher carbon footprint than commercial flights.
Additionally, both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez also incurred significant expenses on luxury hotels during their campaign activities, prompting further scrutiny about their spending choices. Responses from their offices regarding these expenditures remain unreceived as of the article’s publication.
