Senator Bernie Sanders' campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, spent $221,723 on private air travel during the first quarter of 2025, according to campaign expenditures released on Tuesday and reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon. These expenditures occurred during his nationwide "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, which began in February 2025.
The tour, aimed at opposing the influence of billionaires and corporations in American politics, has drawn significant attention. Sanders has been joined by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at several events. Ocasio-Cortez was also spotted flying first class to a rally in Las Vegas last month.
The campaign's spending included payments to three private jet charter firms: Cirrus Aviation Services, N-Jet, and Ventura Jets. Sanders has faced criticism for using private jets while advocating for policies addressing climate change and economic inequality. The tour has drawn large crowds, with over 100,000 attendees as of April 12, 2025.