Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign reportedly spent $2.6 million on private jet travel in the final weeks of her presidential bid, bringing the campaign’s total expenditure on such transportation to $12 million, according to Federal Election Commission data. Between October 1 and October 17, her team contracted services from Private Jet Services Group for $2.2 million and Advanced Aviation Team for $430,000. The heavy use of private jets, which are significantly more polluting than commercial flights, contrasts with Harris’ 2019 climate advocacy statements warning of global warming’s existential threat.
Environmental advocates criticized the campaign for this perceived hypocrisy. Benji Backer of the American Conservation Coalition highlighted the inconsistency between elite climate advocates’ actions and their calls for public lifestyle changes.
The campaign faced further scrutiny for its extravagant spending. Records show expenditures included $12,097 on food delivery apps, $12,081 on ice cream, and $62,772 for accommodations at a luxury hotel in Wilmington, Delaware. Other notable expenses included $9,600 on a bar tab and $6,000 to rent a board game café for a campaign event.
Despite raising and spending $1 billion, Harris’ campaign ended with $20 million in debt, stirring discontent among Democratic allies. Critics within the party questioned decisions to allocate funds toward high-profile expenses rather than targeting key voter demographics. Campaign efforts ultimately fell short, with Trump securing a resounding election victory and improving his performance in nearly every state compared to 2020.
The campaign also directed $5.6 million to 24 progressive advocacy groups, many of which had prior connections to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations. Meanwhile, over $281 million went to Media Buying & Analytics LLC for ad production and purchases.
Democratic strategist Jon Reinish reflected on the campaign’s financial mismanagement, questioning its strategy and allocation of resources. A representative for Harris’ campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
