Bernie Sanders Defends Using Private Jets for ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ Tour

Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has defended his use of private jets to travel during his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.

Why It Matters

Since February, Sanders and New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been touring districts former President Joe Biden won in the 2020 election, but Republican House members took in 2024.

The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour was designed to “have real discussions across America on how we move forward to take on the oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country.” Sanders has consistently called out the Trump administration, accusing it of being an oligarchy and has drawn big crowds, even in Republican strongholds.

His use of private jets to attend tour stops across the country has raised questions from conservative critics including journalist Nick Sortor who accused him of “hypocrisy.”

What To Know

According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, Sanders’ campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, spent over $221,000 on private jets during the first quarter of 2025.

The filings showed he used three private jet companies: Ventura Jets, Cirrus Aviation Services and N-Jet.

Meanwhile, in April, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were filmed by Fox News boarding a $15,0000 per hour private jet to attend tour stops.

Speaking to Fox News’ Bret Baier, Sanders defended his use of the jets, saying that they were “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?” he said.

“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.”

He added that Donald Trump also uses private jets and that his tour was resonating with people. “People want to hear action 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 the people on top,” he said.

What People Are Saying

Speaking to Newsweek, Mark Shanahan, an expert in American politics at the University of Surrey in the U.K., said the decision was “principle v pragmatism.”

“Sanders would no doubt prefer to travel the country in a less gas guzzling manner but recognises the need for bespoke travel if he is to spread his message to the maximum number of people in the shortest time,” he said. “He could, of course, ditch face to face engagement for social media, but his rallies are working. People want to see political figures on the ground, talking to them directly and answering questions – especially in this period of disruptive government. Nobody questions use of private planes during campaign season: Sanders is just taking a leaf out of Trump’s book and issue-campaigning out of season. As for the cost, well, it pales into insignificance compared to the estimated $23m and rising it has cost taxpayers to cover President Trump’s visits to his golf resorts so far in his second Administration.”

Collin Rugg, co-owner of conservative news site Trending Politics called Sanders a “total scammer” on X.

Conservative journalist Nick Sortor called Sander ,sa “hypocrite and scam artist.”

When Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were filmed boarding a jet, National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement to Fox News Digital: “Champagne socialists 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 hypocrisy is staggering.”

What Happens Next

Sanders is scheduled to speak in London on May 30.