Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Private Jet Travel and Luxury Expenses Scrutinized

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Notable Revelations: It’s been discovered through Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings reviewed by Fox News Digital that Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, spent over $550,000 of his campaign funds on private jet travel in 2025. The bulk of these expenses occurred in the first half of the year while Sanders was conducting his Fighting Oligarchy tour with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York.

Details of Private Jet Travel: During this campaign journey, Sanders was photographed boarding a luxurious Bombardier Challenger private jet at the Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, California. A source indicated that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez also boarded the jet, which they later exited together in Sacramento. Sanders has previously defended his use of private jets for campaign travel, stating in an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier: “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? That’s the only way to get around. 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.”

Jet Companies Involved: The Bombardier Challenger jet, operated by Ventura Air Services, highlights its “superior cabin comfort,” aligning with Sanders’ reported spending of at least $354,000 on jets from Ventura Jets. Other companies like N-Jet and Cirrus Aviation Services were also recipients of Sanders’ campaign funds.

Environmental Concerns: Despite Sanders’ vocal support of the Green New Deal aimed at addressing climate change, his reliance on private jet travel stands in contrast to these ideals. According to the 2021 Transport and Environment report, private jets produce 14 times the pollution per passenger compared to commercial flights.

Additional Campaign Expenses: Beyond jet expenditures, Sanders reportedly spent large sums on luxury hotels while touring various states. Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign similarly incurred expenses, with a noteable payment of $3,165.76 to The Leo Kent Hotel in Tucson around the time of the rally there. Her 2025 hotel expenses amounted to over $53,000, covering various luxury accommodations across the country.

Criticism and Responses: Fox News Digital sought comment from Sanders’ and Ocasio-Cortez’s offices regarding these expenses but did not receive replies by the time of publication. On the matter, Matt Gorman, a conservative political communications consultant, remarked, “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.”