Progressive champions AOC and Bernie Sanders were caught traveling on a $15,000-per-hour private jet while touring the nation to denounce wealth inequality, exposing them to charges of blatant hypocrisy.
Quick Takes
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders were filmed using a luxury private jet during their “Fighting Oligarchy” national tour
- The private aircraft costs approximately $15,000 per hour to charter while producing 14 times more pollution than commercial flights
- Both lawmakers have previously condemned private jet use and advocated strongly for environmental protection and climate action
- Sanders has spent nearly $250,000 on private jet travel in the first quarter of 2025 alone
- Neither politician has responded to requests for comment about the apparent contradiction between their message and travel choices
Private Jets for Anti-Wealth Crusaders
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders have found themselves at the center of controversy after being filmed boarding a private jet while conducting their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour across America. The national campaign, designed to highlight income inequality and corporate influence in American politics, has made stops in multiple cities including Tucson, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Nampa, and Bakersfield. Footage shows the progressive lawmakers using luxury transportation that directly contradicts their public messaging about wealth disparity and environmental concerns.
The private jet reportedly costs $15,000 per hour to charter, a figure that has raised eyebrows considering the tour’s explicit anti-wealth focus. According to reports, the Bombardier Challenger aircraft used by the duo consumes approximately 365 gallons of fuel every 1.32 hours of flight time. Environmental impact assessments indicate that private jets pollute 14 times more than commercial planes and that private jet users produce nearly 500 times more carbon emissions annually than the average person.
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History of Environmental Advocacy
The travel choices are particularly notable given both politicians’ strong public stances on environmental issues. Sanders has long positioned himself as a champion for climate action, supporting initiatives like the “Green New Deal” and making statements about climate change being an existential threat. Similarly, Ocasio-Cortez has been outspoken about the need for environmental protection and has criticized wealthy individuals and corporations for contributing to climate change through luxury consumption.
“Climate change is the single greatest threat facing our planet.”
Financial records indicate that Sanders has spent nearly $250,000 on private jet travel in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This continues a pattern from his 2020 presidential campaign, during which he reportedly spent over $1.9 million on private air travel. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez has been observed using both private jets and flying first-class on commercial airlines like JetBlue, raising questions about consistency in their transportation choices given their public positions.
Contradicting Their Own Message
Ocasio-Cortez has previously made pointed comments about wealthy individuals using private jets, directly questioning their necessity. Her criticism of corporate CEOs now appears at odds with her own travel choices. The contradiction is particularly stark considering the tour’s explicit fundraising message, which emphasizes that it is “not paid for by billionaires” and solicits small donations to support campaign activities including travel expenses.
“How many private jets do these CEOs need?”
The campaign website states that the tour aims to address “the oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country” through having “real discussions across America.” However, the use of luxury private transportation worth thousands of dollars per hour creates a visible disconnect between the stated purpose and practiced methods. Neither Sanders’ nor Ocasio-Cortez’s offices have responded to multiple media requests for comment on the apparent discrepancy between their message and mode of transportation.
Sources:
- AOC and Bernie Sanders blasted for sneaking off $7 million private jet after slamming Trump as an ‘oligarch’
- Eco-warriors AOC, Bernie Sanders took $15K-per-hour private jet to attend ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally
