Bernie Sanders, a vocal critic of the wealthy elite, has spent over $220,000 on private jet travel during his “Fight Oligarchy” tour while rallying against billionaires and oligarchs. Sanders’ travel choices have sparked intense debate about whether his actions contradict his public stance on economic inequality and climate change. How might this apparent contradiction impact Sanders’ credibility among his core supporters?
Sanders’ Spending Contradicts Anti-Wealth Messaging
Senator Bernie Sanders is facing significant criticism after campaign expenditures revealed he spent over $220,000 on private jet travel during his “Fight Oligarchy” tour. The spending, first reported by the Washington Free Beacon after reviewing campaign finance disclosures, shows that his committee spent $221,723 on chartering private jets in the first quarter of 2025.
The tour, which includes appearances by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, aims to challenge President Trump and his billionaire allies while condemning what Sanders calls a “rigged economy.” Sanders has been particularly vocal about the influence of wealthy individuals in politics, frequently criticizing figures like Elon Musk while his committee simultaneously invested in luxury travel arrangements.
Nothing to see here…
Just AOC and Bernie Sanders spending $221k of your hard earned money on private jets for a campaign push that is bound to fail. pic.twitter.com/i9yPIgwYmN
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 17, 2025
Tour Attracts Large Crowds Despite Controversy
Despite the controversy surrounding his travel expenses, Sanders’ tour has drawn substantial crowds in multiple battleground states. At a rally in Folsom, California, Sanders claimed over 30,000 people attended, highlighting the continued support for his message among working-class voters.
The tour has targeted swing states and traditionally conservative districts, focusing on issues of economic inequality. Sanders even made a surprise appearance at the Coachella music festival, where he urged the crowd to “stand up, to fight for justice,” demonstrating his continued appeal to younger voters despite questions about his travel practices.
WATCH: Fox’s @BretBaier notes a report that "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… pic.twitter.com/vxXfnGKvSg
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) April 17, 2025
Defenders and Critics Clash Over Implications
The travel expenses have ignited heated debates online, with conservatives accusing Sanders of blatant hypocrisy. Critics point out that Sanders’ extensive use of private jets directly contradicts his advocacy for climate change action and his frequent criticism of wealthy lifestyles.
Defenders argue that Sanders’ campaign is primarily funded by small donations rather than corporate interests, which they claim makes the spending more acceptable. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has also faced scrutiny after being photographed flying first-class and appearing alongside Sanders on a private jet, further fueling the conversation about consistency between progressive messaging and personal choices.
During the tour’s latest event in California, Sanders declared, “We will not accept a rigged economy where working people struggle while billionaires become richer. We have got to create an economy that works for working people, not just Mr. Musk and the billionaire class.”
The campaign committee’s significant investment in private air travel stands in stark contrast to these statements. Records show that, alongside the private jet expenses, Friends of Bernie Sanders spent an additional $63,830 on commercial flights during the same period.
The tour continues to draw attention both for its message and for the questions it raises about whether political figures should be expected to align their personal choices with their public advocacy. Sanders has not directly addressed the criticisms regarding his travel expenditures as the tour proceeds through working-class districts across the country.