Spending like a drunk sailor: Harris faces backlash over $12M private jet cost and $20M debt

Vice President Kamala Harris’ failed presidential campaign spent a staggering $2.6 million on private jet travel in the final weeks leading up to Election Day, bringing its total expenditure on private flights to $12 million, Federal Election Commission records reveal.

Between October 1 and October 17, as Harris’ team scrambled to rally voter turnout across the nation, the campaign paid $2.2 million to Private Jet Services Group, based in South Florida, and $430,000 to Arlington, Virginia-based Advanced Aviation Team.

Climate Criticism Over Private Travel

The heavy reliance on private jets, which emit up to 14 times more carbon than commercial flights, has drawn sharp criticism given Harris’ previous warnings about climate change as an “existential threat.” Environmental advocates called out the hypocrisy, with Benji Backer, founder of the American Conservation Coalition, stating, “We need sensible solutions on climate, but hypocrisy from leaders undermines credibility.”

Private Jet Services Group claims its flights are carbon-neutral through a reforestation program, but it is unclear if Harris’ campaign purchased offsets or if Advanced Aviation offers a similar initiative.

Extravagant Spending in the Spotlight

The campaign’s private jet expenses are part of a larger pattern of high-profile spending that has drawn ire from critics. Harris’ campaign has been mocked for extravagant expenditures, including:

• $12,000 on food delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash.
• $12,000 on ice cream, including pints from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
• $6,000 for a campaign event at Snakes and Lattes, a board game café in Arizona.
• $62,000 on rooms and catering at the luxury Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware.
• $9,600 on food and drinks at Pebble Bar near Rockefeller Center.

Lavish Costs Questioned by Democrats

Democratic strategists and donors have criticized the campaign’s spending decisions, questioning why resources weren’t allocated to better target key voter demographics. “You’re looking at these seven-figure luxury costs and thinking, ‘Couldn’t that have been used to reach suburban voters or Hispanic men?’” said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish.

Campaign Debt Sparks Outrage

Despite raising $1 billion, the Harris campaign ended with $20 million in debt, leaving many Democrats frustrated and pointing fingers. The campaign also spent $5.6 million on 24 left-leaning advocacy groups, including those tied to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, further fueling debates about resource allocation.

Record-Breaking Spending, Yet No Victory

The campaign’s largest expenditure was $281 million on ad buys and production through Media Buying & Analytics LLC, a firm tied to prominent Democratic consultant Bobby Khan. Despite the monumental $1.6 billion spent by Harris and aligned groups, Trump made gains nationwide, securing his reelection while the Harris campaign failed to win key battlegrounds.

As Democrats demand accountability for the campaign’s mismanagement, the spending decisions have left many questioning how such a historic war chest could lead to such an underwhelming result. Harris’ team has yet to comment on the matter.