Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed the Trump administration on Wednesday for moving toward a $500 million taxpayer loan to keep Spirit Airlines from going out of business in its second bankruptcy filing.
The deal, still under discussion, would give the government warrants that could turn into a big ownership stake in the budget carrier, according to people familiar with the talks.
President Trump met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday night to work out the rescue, according to reports.
Greene calls out the Trump administration
Greene posted on X that the money comes straight from American taxpayers while families struggle with everyday bills.
“The Trump admin is going to bail out Spirit Airlines with $500 million of your tax dollars, but refuse to do anything to lower the cost of health insurance. Or the cost of living. Or gas and diesel,” she wrote on April 22. “Those are actually going up because of Trump’s war in Iran with no end in sight.”
Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a year. The company has faced high jet fuel costs and other financial troubles.
It tried to merge with JetBlue, but that deal was blocked. Now it risks liquidation without help.
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Customers have given Spirit low marks for years, with reviews on sites like Trustpilot, Skytrax, and ConsumerAffairs often mentioning poor service, cramped seats that do not recline, and extra fees for bags and seat selection.
Many flyers say the final bill from other airlines is higher than the ticket price once all charges are added.
One common complaint is that basic items like water cost extra, and legroom feels tight for anyone over average height.
Greene pointed out the contrast. “By the way, customers rated Spirit Airlines: poor customer service, uncomfortable, non-reclining seats, and high fees for luggage. But Spirit gets a $500 million taxpayer-funded bailout.”
She added that regular Americans see no relief from the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and no refunds from tariffs. Instead, she said, they face higher costs tied to the Iran conflict.
“You get another foreign war that you have to pay for, and someone you know gets shipped off to serve in,” Greene wrote. She also criticized Trump for calling concerns over Epstein files a “hoax” and labeled the overall approach “America LAST.”
President Trump’s take
Trump told CNBC on Tuesday that Spirit employs about 14,000 people and suggested the government may step in if no buyer appears.
“Spirit’s in trouble, and I’d love somebody to buy Spirit. It’s 14,000 jobs, and maybe the federal government should help that one out,” he said.
However, the proposed loan is not a gift. Terms under discussion include repayment and potential equity for the government.
Still, critics like Greene argue that any use of tax dollars for a single private company sets the wrong priority when grocery prices, rent, insurance, and fuel keep climbing for millions of households.
Spirit built its name on rock-bottom base fares but charges separately for almost everything else. That model brought in budget travelers as well as a flood of complaints about surprise costs at the gate or on board.
In past years, the Department of Transportation has logged higher complaint rates for Spirit than for most other U.S. carriers, especially on refunds, baggage, and customer service.
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The rescue talks come as jet fuel prices have risen sharply since U.S. military action against Iran began.
Some aviation watchers note that higher energy costs hit low-cost carriers hardest because they fly older planes and keep ticket prices thin.
Greene, who left the House after resigning, has grown more vocal in opposition to parts of the Trump agenda she sees as moving away from “America First” promises.
She has questioned spending on foreign conflicts while domestic issues go unaddressed.
So far, there has been no final agreement on the Spirit loan, nor has any announcement been made. The White House, the Transportation Department, and Spirit Airlines did not immediately comment beyond earlier reports.
