What You Need to Know
• Bernie Sanders criticized Trump for accepting a luxury jet from Qatar’s royal family
• He later asked to hitch a ride, citing discomfort and “moral exhaustion from flying commercial”
• Sanders maintains his anti-billionaire stance, just not at 30,000 feet in economy
Ethics Take Flight—But Comfort Lands First
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Bernie Sanders fiercely criticized President Trump this week for accepting a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from the Qatari royal family. He called it “the kind of obscene indulgence only a capitalist would love.” A day later, he quietly asked if there was room onboard for a quick trip to California.
According to aides, Sanders claimed the request wasn’t hypocritical. Instead, he described it as “an act of spine preservation during times of national discomfort.”
When First Class Is the Lesser Evil
Though Sanders has long attacked wealth inequality, the Vermont senator reportedly boarded the aircraft with a tote bag and a copy of Das Kapital. He skipped champagne but praised the lumbar support, calling it “disgustingly effective.”
A staffer confirmed that Bernie requested no special treatment, only “a seat with airflow and an overhead bin not already full of hedge fund luggage.”
Critics Call It Hypocrisy, Bernie Calls It Survival
Reactions were swift. Opponents accused Sanders of double standards, while supporters argued that refusing the jet would have endangered his well-being and probably his posture.
He later addressed the incident at a press event. “Yes, I took the ride. No, I didn’t enjoy it. Yes, I judged every piece of furniture on board.”
Jet-Fueled Irony, Economy-Class Guilt
Sanders promised not to fly on the aircraft again unless absolutely necessary. However, he did float the idea of converting private jets into “airborne mutual aid stations.” He also proposed taxing seats with recline buttons over six inches deep.
At press time, Trump responded to Bernie’s ride by saying, “He loved it. He didn’t stop talking about the hummus tray.”
