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FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York have sparked controversy after chartering a private jet valued at up to $15,000 per hour during their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour across the West Coast.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sanders was photographed boarding a luxurious Bombardier Challenger private jet at Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, California. A source on the ground shared the images exclusively with Fox News Digital. Just hours earlier, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez had addressed attendees at their “Fighting Oligarchy” event in Bakersfield.
Flight records indicate that the jet landed at Sacramento Mather Airport on Tuesday evening. This location is approximately a 20-minute drive from Folsom, California, where Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were scheduled to host their second rally of the day.
The private jet’s journey included stops in Salt Lake City and Boise prior to reaching Bakersfield. These arrival dates align with the locations of the duo’s previous “Fighting Oligarchy” events in Salt Lake City and Nampa, located roughly 25 minutes from Boise Airport.
Critics have called out the pair’s use of private jets. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Ben Petersen emphasized in a statement to Fox News Digital that the irony of their situation is glaring. He remarked that both political figures advocate for policy changes while traveling in luxury, exemplifying a form of hypocrisy.
The Bombardier Challenger private jet, described as having one of the widest cabins of available business jets today, offers superior comfort for its passengers. The operator, Ventura Air Services, confirms that flying this private jet can cost up to $15,000 hourly.
Sanders has faced ridicule for his reliance on luxury air travel even when discussing climate change. His platform promotes universal healthcare, the Green New Deal, and the fight against wealth inequality. However, his frequent use of private jets has drawn criticism, leading to accusations of being out of touch with the very concerns he champions.
During the first quarter of 2025, Sanders’ campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, reportedly spent over $221,000 on private jet charters. Federal Election Commission filings reviewed by Fox News Digital revealed that this amount was distributed among three private jet companies: Ventura Jets, Cirrus Aviation Services, and N-Jet.
This year’s private jet expenditures come after Sanders spent over $1.9 million on private flights during his unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign. A review of his spending by Fox News Digital found that nearly $2 million went to private jet companies, including Apollo Jets and the Advanced Aviation Team.
The reliance on private jets has not only drawn ire from political opponents but also from fellow climate activists. A report released by Transport and Environment in 2021 highlighted that private jets can be up to 14 times more polluting than commercial aircraft.
Ocasio-Cortez has previously criticized the use of private jets, asking how many such aircraft CEOs truly need. She expressed her frustrations candidly in 2023, labeling it as insatiable and unacceptable.
The Political Landscape and Climate Policy
Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have supported the Democrats’ ambitious Green New Deal, which aims to combat climate change by targeting carbon emissions and fossil fuel production. Ocasio-Cortez initially introduced the Green New Deal legislation in 2019, while Sanders crafted his own similar plan during his 2020 presidential campaign.
Despite the backlash, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have attracted large crowds during their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. Most recently, they reported their largest rally yet, drawing 36,000 attendees in Los Angeles.
The Motivations Behind the Tour
Sanders initiated the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour in response to the anticipated second term of President Donald Trump. The goal is to counter the influence that oligarchs and large corporate interests hold over political power in the United States.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the offices of both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez for comments regarding their luxury travel choices amid these political statements.
Exploring the Irony in Political Richness
The juxtaposition of advocating for the common man while relying on private luxury travel creates a complex narrative surrounding Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez. Their journey, laden with high-profile events and significant public attention, showcases the challenges of aligning personal choices with political ideals. As this narrative unfolds, citizens may find themselves questioning the authenticity of those who campaign for the everyday struggles of the American populace.
