Thursday, April 23, 2026

Trump Administration to Use Taxpayer Money to Bail Out Spirit Airlines

The airline could receive around $500 million from the government and the government could end up with a 90% stake in the airline.

Posted by qcp at 08:30 PM | 13 COMMENTS | permalink

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Donald Trump's war with Iran caused the sky-high fuel prices that finally did Spirit Airlines in. What do the American people get out of this taxpayer bailout? Will the failed airline executives be held accountable?

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-- Elizabeth Warren (@warren.senate.gov) Apr 22, 2026 at 4:58 PM

Comments

Bailouts for oligarchs, CEOs, corporations, farmers, fascist leaders, but no bailouts for struggling Americans.

Just wait until the "Gawd-help-us" effects of the "Big Beautiful Bill" take effect in a few months.

From the Interweb:

"Some measures of the 'BBB' were effective immediately upon signing, while others are staggered over several years, with some provisions specifically timed to take effect immediately after the 2026 midterm elections."

#1 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-04-22 11:51 AM

Well, it seems to be Pres Trump's jet fuel price increase that has pushed Spirit Airlines over the edge.

Maybe Pres Trump should bail out Spirit Airlines from his own personal funds, instead of those from US taxpayers?

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-04-23 09:15 PM

Speaking of Pres Trump bailing out entities ...

There's this ...

Trump Considers Bailing Out His Family's Major Business Partner
newrepublic.com

... The Trump administration is considering a bailout for the United Arab Emirates over economic losses sustained as a result of the U.S. war with Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that UAE officials are speaking with the White House about providing financial relief, such as a currency swap, if their economy takes an even bigger hit during the war. Khaled Mohamed Balama, governor of the UAE's central bank, raised the issue in meetings with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week. UAE officials reportedly have said their finances are OK for now, but they could need help in the future.

In an interview with CNBC Monday morning, Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said that while he hadn't spoken directly with Bessent about it, if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and continues to hurt the UAE's economy, the Trump administration would be willing to provide help.

"The UAE has been an incredibly valuable ally throughout this effort, and I am sure that the treasury secretary will make every effort to help them out should that be necessary," Hassett said. ...



#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-04-23 09:18 PM

@#3

More from the article ...

... President Trump and his family have extensive business ties with the UAE. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, took in about $200 million from the UAE's sovereign wealth fund for his investment firm, Affinity Partners, in 2023.

The next year, Kushner's firm secured $1.5 billion from Abu Dhabi-based firm Lunate and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund.

Last year, the UAE invested $2 billion into World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency venture run by Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr.

Trump happened to lift export restrictions on computer chips at the same time. The Trump Organization is also building a luxury hotel in Dubai. ...



#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-04-23 09:20 PM

Kinda seems like the only folks Trump isn't spending tax money on is the taxpayer, huh.

US Forest Service, National Weather Service, Education, Healthcare...

Congress approved funding for everything Trump has gutted, but he turns around and gives it to Argentina, UAE, some podunk airliner that should be absorbed by a successful carrier, and seemingly anyone else who kisses his Big Mac dumper.

#5 | Posted by horstngraben at 2026-04-23 10:00 PM

Oh Noes!!!! No President has ever done this!

#6 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2026-04-23 10:01 PM

No President has ever done this!

And did you like it when past Presidents did it?

Of course you didn't. I sure didn't.

But now you don't care, because you're a hack.

#7 | Posted by horstngraben at 2026-04-23 10:12 PM

@#7

Pres Trump may be using taxpayer money to bail out one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. The UAE.

Let that sink in ....

#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-04-23 10:16 PM

Let that sink in ....

See #5. It already had sunk in.

#9 | Posted by horstngraben at 2026-04-23 10:42 PM

See #5. It already had sunk in.

#9 | Posted by horstngraben at 2026-04-23 10:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

The only thing that sunk in your bottom is the gays around here...

#10 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2026-04-23 10:48 PM

Kinda seems like the only folks Trump isn't spending tax money on is the taxpayer, huh.

14,000 employees seems kind of like they are all tax payers. But this isn't all Trumps fault, gotta spread it around.

This story line was driven by both Biden and Trump admins. Why did Biden block the merger? Due to concerns that eliminating Spirit"the nation's largest low-cost carrier"would reduce competition, increase airfares, and limit options for price-conscious travelers.

Now its going to either cost taxpayers, or cost taxpayers.

JetBlue offers to buy Spirit for $3.8 billion.
2023: Biden DOJ sues to stop the merger.
Jan 2024: Judge blocks merger, citing "threat to competition."
Nov 2024: Spirit files for bankruptcy.
2026: Trump admin is considering bailout of Spirit, with the federal government potentially receiving ownership in the company.

The thing is Spirit has little to no assets, it leases all its planes from what I understand.

#11 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-04-23 11:16 PM


Pres Trump may be using taxpayer money to bail out one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. The UAE.

Let that sink in ....

May? Why think about it at all, you Lumpers are so wrong about everything theres really nothing to your propositions/speculations without actual evidence.


See #5. It already had sunk in.
#9 | POSTED BY HORSTNGRABEN

As I stated at the time the UAE was a currency swap, there's nothing taken and nothing given you absolute too.

#12 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-04-23 11:19 PM

but he turns around and gives it to Argentina

It bought him a faithful flunky, which was the whole point.

#13 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-04-23 11:23 PM

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