Bernie Sanders spent over $550K in 2025 campaign funds on private jets, filings show
Sanders walks to the Senate Chamber as the Senate votes on a series of government funding bills at the US Capitol on Jan. 30, 2026. Getty Images
A review of Federal Election Commission filings by Fox News Digital found that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., spent more than $550,000 in 2025 on private jet travel using campaign funds while traveling the country on his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Most of the spending occurred in the first two quarters of the year, when Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez held the majority of their tour events.
In April, Fox News Digital obtained a photo of Sanders boarding a Bombardier Challenger private jet at Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, California. A source also said Ocasio-Cortez boarded the aircraft. Later that day, footage showed the two exiting the plane in Sacramento, near the site of a second rally they hosted.
The aircraft was operated by Ventura Air Services, which advertises a wide-cabin business jet and premium passenger comfort. According to the company’s website, the jet can cost up to $15,000 per hour to charter.
FEC filings show Sanders’ campaign paid at least $354,000 in 2025 to Ventura Jets for private air travel. Additional payments went to companies including N-Jet and Cirrus Aviation Services. N-Jet’s website highlights its focus on luxury, comfort, and safety for clients.
Sanders, who supports policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change, was previously asked about his use of private jets. In an interview on Fox News’ “Special Report,” he said private air travel was necessary to meet the demands of a busy campaign schedule.
“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,” Sanders said. “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.”
Sanders has used private jets during past campaigns as well. During his 2020 presidential campaign, filings show more than $1.9 million was spent on private jet services.
Private jet travel has drawn criticism from some climate advocates. A 2021 report by Transport and Environment found that private jets can be significantly more polluting per passenger than commercial flights. Ocasio-Cortez herself has previously criticized heavy private jet use by corporate executives.
Fox News Digital said it contacted Sanders’ office and campaign for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
Conservative political communications consultant Matt Gorman criticized the spending, calling it hypocritical in light of climate policy advocacy.
In addition to air travel, Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign filings show spending at several higher-end hotels in cities where tour events were held. For example, her campaign paid more than $3,100 to The Leo Kent Hotel in Tucson around the time of a rally there in April.
Other hotel expenditures in 2025 included stays at properties such as the Asher Adams Hotel in Salt Lake City, Hotel Vermont in Burlington, The Langham-Huntington in Pasadena, Hotel El Convento in San Juan, and Lansdowne Resort & Spa in Virginia, according to FEC records.
Fox News Digital said it asked Ocasio-Cortez’s representatives for comment on the hotel spending but did not receive a response.
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