Elected Leaders Criticized for Jet Travel During Anti-Oligarchy Tour

Progressive icons Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders face mounting criticism after being caught using a $15,000-per-hour private jet during their nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, raising questions about their authenticity and commitment to environmental causes.

Key Takeaways

AOC and Bernie Sanders were filmed boarding a private jet for their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour that criticizes wealth inequality and corporate influence
The private jet costs approximately $15,000 per hour to charter and pollutes 14 times more than commercial planes
Sanders has spent nearly $250,000 on private jet travel in the first quarter of 2025 alone, following $1.9 million during his 2020 campaign
Both politicians have previously criticized private jet usage and championed environmental causes, including the Green New Deal
Neither Ocasio-Cortez’s nor Sanders’ offices have responded to requests for comment on the apparent contradiction

Private Jets and Public Messaging

Footage of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders boarding a luxury private jet for their “Fighting Oligarchy” campaign tour has sparked widespread controversy among supporters and critics alike. The high-profile progressive leaders launched the nationwide tour to address wealth inequality and corporate influence in America, but their travel methods have raised eyebrows. The Bombardier Challenger jet they were seen using costs approximately $15,000 per hour to charter and burns through 365 gallons of fuel every 1.32 hours.

The tour includes stops in multiple cities including Tucson, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Nampa, and Bakersfield. Campaign materials solicit donations to cover “modest resources” needed for the tour while emphasizing that it is “paid for by friends of Bernie Sanders (not the billionaires).” Despite these claims of modesty, the private transportation methods chosen appear to contradict the central message of the campaign, which targets “the oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country.”

AOC’s Private Jet Scandal on Earth Day: Hypocrisy Exposed on Today’s Off Topic Show!

On Today’s Off Topic Show, April 22, 2025, we’re diving into a controversy that’s sparking outrage across the political spectrum! Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has been caught—again—flying… pic.twitter.com/mrjEC9yl3H

— Off Topic Show (@OffTopicShow2) April 22, 2025

Environmental Contradictions

The use of private jets directly contradicts both politicians’ previous statements and policy positions regarding environmental protection and climate change. Sanders has long positioned himself as a champion of environmental causes, including the Green New Deal co-sponsored with Ocasio-Cortez. “Climate change is the single greatest threat facing our planet,” Sanders has stated previously, yet private jets are known to be one of the most carbon-intensive forms of travel.

“How many private jets do these CEOs need?” Ocasio-Cortez once asked critically. “It is insatiable. It is unacceptable. I do not know how any person can say I need another $100 million before another person can have health care.” – Source

According to a 2021 report cited by multiple sources, private jets pollute approximately 14 times more than commercial planes per passenger. More concerning for environmental advocates, private jet users produce nearly 500 times more carbon emissions annually than the average person. This stark contrast between messaging and personal choices has become a focal point for critics of the progressive leaders.

Pattern of Luxury Travel

This is not an isolated incident for either politician. Records show Sanders spent over $1.9 million on private jet travel during his 2020 presidential campaign. In 2025 alone, he has already spent nearly $250,000 on private jet travel in just the first quarter. Ocasio-Cortez has also been observed traveling in first-class on commercial flights, including JetBlue, further fueling criticism about the disconnect between their public stance against luxury consumption and personal travel habits.

“Paid for by friends of Bernie Sanders (not the billionaires).”

Despite multiple requests for comment from media outlets, including the Daily Mail and New York Post, representatives for both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have remained silent on the controversy. The campaign’s stated goal to “have real discussions across America” about inequality has now been overshadowed by questions about whether the messengers themselves embody the very privileges they criticize in others.