Senator Bernie Sanders, who identifies as a socialist and is considered an independent, defended his use of private jets during his ‘Fight Oligarchy’ tour alongside Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Wednesday.
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, both vocal critics of wealthy Americans, have faced backlash from conservative circles, who perceive their actions as hypocritical. In the interview, Sanders not only addressed the criticism but also rationalized his choice of travel, which is typically accessible only to the wealthiest individuals.
Baier questioned Sanders about reports from the Free Beacon stating that he had spent $221,000 on private jets for the tour, funded by his supporters, and that he had utilized millions in campaign funds for private jet travel over the years.
In response, Sanders attempted to redirect the conversation towards President Donald Trump, who has also used his personal Boeing 757 for travel during the 2024 campaign.
Sanders inquired, “When was the most recent occasion you observed Donald Trump campaigning at National Airport?” Baier retorted, “No, no, no. That is not the case… However, he is also not opposing the oligarchy.”
Sanders replied, “No. In a campaign, one typically conducts three to five rallies each week. This is the only method to engage with 30,000 individuals.”
I believe I will be waiting in line at United, alongside 30,000 others. This is the only option available. I make no apologies for this situation,” he stated. “This is the nature of campaign travel. We have engaged in it previously and will continue to do so in the future,” he asserted.
In March, Sanders unexpectedly terminated a sit-down interview with ABC News, leaving ‘This Week’ host Jonathan Karl visibly taken aback when he refused to comment on whether Ocasio-Cortez should pursue a Senate seat.
The independent senator from Vermont dismissed the inquiry as ‘nonsense’ after Karl pressed him about AOC potentially challenging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, following Schumer’s vote in favor of the Republican-led budget aimed at preventing a government shutdown.
After attempting to halt the questioning, the impassioned senator abruptly rose and exited the interview, a moment captured on camera as Karl implored Sanders not to conclude it prematurely.
In a private conversation, Sanders characterized the subject as mere ‘inside the Beltway matters’ and contended that there are more pressing issues to address than conjectures regarding the leadership of the Democratic Party.
Ultimately, the senator acquiesced, allowing Karl to pose one last inquiry—this time concerning Sanders’ own political aspirations, avoiding any references to AOC. At 83 years of age, Sanders dismissed the prospect of a subsequent presidential campaign, openly admitting that he feels ‘old and tired.’
During the interview, Sanders criticized Schumer for permitting the passage of a continuing resolution that funds the government until the end of the current fiscal year. Nevertheless, he refrained from supporting calls for a primary challenge against the Senate Majority Leader.
“You stated that the approval of this bill, the continuing resolution, represented an ‘absolute failure of Democratic leadership.’ Who are you referring to?” Karl inquired. “Well, Schumer is the leader of the party, and this should not have occurred, without a doubt. There is no question about it,”
Sanders responded, although the failure of the spending bill’s approval would have resulted in a government shutdown—an outcome he and many other Democrats have previously asserted would be catastrophic for the nation.
