Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is standing by his decision to travel by private jet while headlining the nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, a progressive campaign that has drawn tens of thousands of supporters and critics alike, Fox News reports.
Sanders, joined by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has been touring the country in a high-profile effort to rally opposition to what they call the growing influence of billionaires and corporate interests in American politics. The tour, launched in response to President Donald Trump’s second term, has become a major push by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
In an exclusive interview with Special Report executive editor Bret Baier on Wednesday, Sanders acknowledged the extensive use of private air travel but defended it as a logistical necessity.
“When you’re running a campaign and doing three, four, five rallies a week, that’s the only way to get around to talk to 30,000 people,” Sanders said. “You think I’m gonna be sitting on a waiting line at United while 30,000 people are waiting? No apologies for that. That’s what campaign travel is about.”
According to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Sanders’ campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, spent over $221,000 on private jets in the first quarter of 2025 alone. The spending was spread across three charter services: Ventura Jets, Cirrus Aviation Services, and N-Jet.
Some of the flights—reportedly costing as much as $15,000 per hour—were used to shuttle Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez to multiple West Coast rallies as part of the tour.
Critics have accused the duo of hypocrisy for attacking wealth and corporate excess while utilizing high-end travel accommodations. Republican strategists and even some moderate Democrats have raised questions about the optics of the luxury travel in contrast to the tour’s populist message.
Despite the controversy, Sanders emphasized the effectiveness of the campaign, pointing to strong turnout and a diverse audience that includes Americans of varying political affiliations.
“I think at a time when the people on top are doing phenomenally well, while seniors and working-class people are struggling, people want action,” Sanders said. “They want to stand up to the people who have the wealth and the power, and create an economy that works for all of us—not just those at the top.”
The tour has continued to gain momentum, though its messaging has met resistance from some younger voters and party insiders. Political strategist James Carville recently urged Democrats to resist allowing Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez to define the party’s direction.
The latest news in your social feeds
Subscribe to our social media platforms to stay tuned