Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, posted a sarcastic jab on social media aimed at progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, and his use of private jets during his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, flipping the script on Sanders’ message.
Newsweek reached out to Cruz’s and Sanders’ press teams for comment via email on Friday.
Why It Matters
Sanders has long criticized the ultra-wealthy, advocating for higher taxes on top earners and frequently describing the influence of money in politics as an “oligarchy.” He has also been vocal in advocacy for climate action.
The progressive lawmaker is currently on a high-profile “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, often joined by Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, holding rallies across red and blue districts to oppose President Donald Trump and his policies. The rallies have drawn thousands, with his Los Angeles event in March marking the largest in his career, with around 36,000 people.
Some critics view Sanders’ use of private jets and his personal wealth as hypocritical to his overall message. He has previously faced criticism on the matters, including during the 2016 presidential campaign.
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
What To Know
In a May 7 interview with Fox News, Sanders told anchor Bret Baier “the only way you can get around to talk to 30,000 people,” and attend multiple rallies a week is to fly via private jet.
He continued, “You think I’m gonna be sitting on a waiting line at United … while 30,000 people are waiting?,” adding “no apologies for that, that is what campaign travel is about, we’ve done it in the past and we’re going to do it in the future.”
Cruz reshared the Fox News clip on Thursday, writing, “Oligarchs will not apologize to the peasants they deceive.” The comments mock Sanders by using his own terminology of “oligarch,” which he leverages against Trump and his inner circle, against the independent senator.
Sanders spent over $221,000 on private jet travel during the tour according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings related to the campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders.
The filings showed he used private jet companies: Ventura Jets, Cirrus Aviation Services and N-Jet. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines are also noted on the ledger.
Some conservative voices have called out Sanders for the move, such as Collin Rugg, a co-owner of Trending Politics, writing on X that Sanders is a “total scammer,” and conservative journalist Nick Sortor saying he is a “hypocrite and scam artist.”
Sanders also has a notably high net worth, which Forbes estimated as around $2.5 million in 2019. His wealth is derived from his Senate salary, book royalties and real estate holding. The senator’s estimated net worth, while high compared to the average American, is significantly less than those of the billionaires at who he directs many of his political attacks.
What People Are Saying
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Los Angeles rally in March: “Big money is how we got Donald Trump. And his whole presidency began with launching tools for bribery, meme coins to fleece working people and move around money in the dark, extortion settlements from media companies and law firms who gladly pay them.”
Riley Gaines, a conservative host of Gaines for Girls podcast, wrote in a May 8 post: “The socialist who rails against the wealthy flies private and scoffs at flying commercial—socialism for you, luxury for him.”
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement to Fox News Digital about Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders boarding a private jet: “Champagne socialists Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez demand Americans surrender their pick-up trucks, air conditioning and meat from the luxe leather seats of their private jets that cost more per hour than most Americans earn in months. Their hypocrisy is staggering.”
Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, said in a Wednesday X, formerly Twitter, post about Sanders’ defense of using private jets: “Never heard a politician utter those words”
What Happens Next
As of Friday, there are no future domestic stops listed on the Fighting Oligarchy page. His last rally was in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on May 3. However, the Vermont senator is slated to speak in London, United Kingdom on May 30.
