Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing criticism after stepping off a private jet on Earth Day while promoting her “Fight the Oligarchy” tour. Photos and videos circulating online show Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) disembarking from a luxury Bombardier Challenger jet, prompting backlash over the congresswoman’s environmental advocacy and frequent criticism of private air travel by the wealthy.
The controversy erupted after Daniel Turner, founder of Power the Future, posted the footage on X, leading to accusations of hypocrisy. The Bombardier Challenger, which can cost up to $15,000 per hour to charter, was reportedly used between campaign stops in Bakersfield and Sacramento, California. “Fight the Oligarchy,” a national campaign tour launched by Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders in February, advocates for progressive policies including Medicare for All, wealth taxes, and campaign finance reform. The tour has attracted large crowds—36,000 in Los Angeles and 34,000 in Denver—and has featured performances by artists like Neil Young and Joan Baez.
While the tour’s message has struck a chord with progressive voters, Ocasio-Cortez’s mode of travel has sparked renewed criticism. Her previous remarks have intensified the backlash. In 2023, she condemned CEOs for their use of private jets, calling it “insatiable” and “unacceptable.” This isn’t the first time her travel choices have drawn scrutiny—back in February 2022, she was photographed flying first class on an American Airlines flight from Austin to New York City, raising questions about whether her personal lifestyle aligns with her populist message.
Here are some reactions to the hypocritical private jet flight: