CNN’s Abby Phillip Takes Aim at Bernie Sanders Over Private Jet Use on ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ Tour
Washington, D.C. – May 11, 2025 – CNN anchor Abby Phillip sparked controversy on this week’s CNN Saturday Morning Table for Five by dedicating a segment to mocking Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for his use of private jets during his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. The progressive senator, known for his vocal criticism of wealth inequality and corporate power, has faced accusations of hypocrisy for spending over $221,000 on private jet travel in early 2025, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
Phillip, joined by panelists Chuck Todd, Ashley Allison, Josh Rogin, and Melik Abdul, introduced the segment with a pointed question: “Can you fight the billionaires from coach?” She played a clip of Sanders defending his travel choices during an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, where he dismissed the idea of flying commercial, saying, “When’s the last time you saw Donald Trump during a campaign mode at National Airport? You run a campaign, and you do three or four or five rallies in a week. The only way you can get around to talk to 30,000 people. [Do you] think I’m going to be sitting in a waiting line at United, waiting, you know, what, 30,000 people are waiting?”
The panel erupted in laughter, with Phillip remarking, “It definitely came across as like, I’m not going to stand in this line with peons.” Abdul piled on, noting, “He mentioned Trump. Well, I’ll remind him Donald Trump doesn’t own his plane. That is much different than Bernie Sanders going around on the plane.” He argued that Sanders’ actions undermine his anti-oligarchy message, comparing him to Bill Gates, who has faced similar criticism for private jet use despite environmental advocacy. “Many people look at this and say, well, you’re a hypocrite,” Abdul added.
Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, launched with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in February 2025, aims to rally opposition to President Donald Trump’s second term and challenge corporate influence in politics. The tour has drawn massive crowds, with a Los Angeles rally in March attracting 36,000 attendees, the largest of Sanders’ career. However, conservative critics, including Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, have seized on the private jet controversy, with Cruz sarcastically tweeting, “Oligarchs will not apologize to the peasants they deceive.”
The backlash isn’t new for Sanders. In 2016, former Clinton campaign staffers criticized his demand for private jets while campaigning for Hillary Clinton, with one calling him “His Royal Majesty King Bernie Sanders” for refusing commercial flights. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Sanders spent nearly $2 million on private jets, though his campaign purchased carbon offsets to mitigate environmental impact.
Supporters argue that private jets are a logistical necessity for high-profile campaigns with tight schedules, especially for a senator balancing Senate duties and nationwide rallies. Sanders has defended his choices unapologetically, stating, “That’s what campaign travel is about. We’ve done it in the past. We’re going to do it in the future.” Some climate advocates, as noted in past coverage, have downplayed the issue, prioritizing Sanders’ policy goals over his travel methods.
The CNN segment has drawn mixed reactions. Sanders’ base, active on social media, accused Phillip of bias, pointing to her 2020 debate moderation where she was criticized for dismissing Sanders’ denial of a claim about women’s electability. Others, however, see the segment as fair scrutiny of a politician whose rhetoric often targets the elite. Chuck Todd called Sanders’ defense a “terrible answer,” arguing it alienated voters who expect consistency.
As Sanders prepares for a London speaking engagement on May 30, the private jet controversy continues to fuel debate about political authenticity and the practical realities of modern campaigning. Whether the criticism will dent his influence as a progressive leader remains to be seen, but for now, Phillip’s roast has ensured the issue stays in the spotlight.
This article draws on reports from Mediaite, Newsweek, Fox News, and other sources for accuracy and context.