President Trump endorses a bailout and then says “I think we just buy” Spirit Airlines. He has someone he thinks is smart that can run it.
.@POTUS on Spirit Airlines: "I think we just buy it. We'd be getting it virtually debt-free. They have some good aircraft, good assets — and when the price of oil goes down, we'll sell it for a profit. I'd love to be able to save those jobs… I like having a lot of airlines so… pic.twitter.com/4AxH8ftuxE
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 23, 2026
Betting markets ticked up slightly from 60% to 64% likelihood that the U.S. takes a stake in Spirit Airlines since the President made these comments.
It concerns me that the President plans to involve himself in who runs Spirit.
We have somebody that wants to run it, do a good job, smart person.
I’m at least happy to hear him talk up selling the airline quickly, albeit contingent on the price of oil falling. How do we model that?
Many industry observers expect oil prices to remain elevated even if the conflict in Iran ends, due to elevated risk and uncertainty. Iran has certainly shown that it’s low cost to create geopolitical chaos even after their leadership and military are devastated.
I keep refreshing those betting market odds.
Does he not know that they don’t fly executive jets, much less 75s, BBJs or 74s?? He is clueless on this topic.
It just can’t get any stupider.
I would chuckle but I wish to at least be a little sensitive to the NK people.
All of this must be tough knowing what a perilous situation their company is in. Been there done that though. There is light.
It is so obvious what he is doing. Basically use taxpayer money to fund his purchase of the airline. I hope he gets stopped from this obvious con job! Wake up people!
I’m sure he’ll do as well with Spirit as he did with Trump Shuttle
Trump Shuttle, Part 2.
That is all.
Oh, Doug, but it somehow will.
If Spirit has viable assets, they should attract DIP financing, a private buyer, or asset sales; if not, aircraft, slots, gates, crews, and routes can be redeployed without converting the DOT or Treasury into an airline holding company. The most dangerous precedent here is not “saving low fares,” it is letting political actors decide which distressed competitors get rescued, who runs them, and when taxpayers exit.
Dear Mr. President. Do you think there might be a reason that the many people and corporations who could afford to buy it won’t? Berkshire has maybe $370 billion in cash reserves. Are they considering this wonderful profit-making opportunity you think exists? Musk bought twitter on a lark. Where is he on this? BTW, how much did you make on Trump Air?
1990 will love this. President Trump is saving workers jobs! How wonderful.
Seems reasonable, lol.
Wow I’m so glad that Trump defeated Harris and saved us from socialism.
I’m all for it, so long as he and everyone else in his administration exclusively flies Spirit from now on.
Still a waste of taxpayer’s money. But if it’s worth buying with taxpayer money we don’t have, they should at least fly with them!
There is no way this ends well.
A bad business model with the government in charge and Trump meddling. What could possibly go wrong?
@Mike Hunt — Citi is one of the major secured creditors; so, who is this bailing out, really?
@Ryan gets it. All-in! Bahaha.
I don’t think it should be bought by the government, but that is why Iran has to pay a high price and a deal that is worthless should not be done. Otherwise, we are inviting pirates again.
This is why President Trump is so popular. His focus is on saving the jobs. His detractors will never understand him.
The most dangerous precedent here is the government engaging in socialistic manipulation of capital markets for nothing other than political gain. There will come a day when he is gone and the opposite party is in power. When that happens it could come with an orgy of government bailouts.
Funny thing is, Dear Leader owned an airline. It didn’t go well. Lasted 3 years and got absorbed into US Air after defaulting on its debt.
Seems like the perfect guy to rescue NK.
@Mike. I’m with you. Spirit leases about 75% of their fleet. The remaining planes, spare parts, and gates are collateral for the loans. Their is a reason why, say Berkshire with $380 billion in cash, isn’t buying Spirit. Of course, Berkshire buys businesses when the like the leadership. They don’t want to manage the firms they buy. But, other people and businesses could buy Spirit and put in new management. But, nobody wants to. Want to own an airline? Wait till Spirit goes belly up and buy the remaining assets from the creditors. Much smarter than buying Spirit.
2024: “Most of the the economic indicators are good but it just feels like the economy is struggling”
2026: “Surely at least one of his cabinet secretaries doesn’t have a drinking problem?”
@Ryan. You beat me to it. I was going to leave a very similar comment. If the bailout happens, I’m looking forward to Trump and his billionaire buddies, who he has made members of his cabinet, flying cross country in airplane seats with 28″ seat pitch.
Well Trump knows the airline business, just look at the incredibly successful Trump Shuttle….that’s sarcasm for you MAGA folks who think he can shoot someone in Central Park and you will still support him…..
Nobody tell Scott Kirby…he seems to be under the impression Trump is cool with REDUCING the number of airlines!
The deal will include naming rights. The airline once known as Spirit will become Trump Airlines and shortly thereafter go bankrupt in the best tradition of his endeavours,
Why not buy the airline then task Mamdani to run it? He could offer free seats to the poor and make the rich pay their fair share for seats.
Well his sons just got a DoD contract last week making drones, so I am sure they now qualify as aviation experts.
NO! NO! NO! It is time to let Spirit die. The airline has squandered two bailouts that have been received to date. Their employees “might” be able to find a job with other airlines. However, they will have to get used to being polite to customers, not “putting their thumb” on the baggage scales to increase revenue, and running on time. Let it go. Enough is enough. Pull the plug
@Pilot93434 — I am in-favor of worker and consumer protections; however, I highly doubt this administration will do any of that, here or generally. They’ll say they are, but in reality, it’s usually a grift for themselves and insiders. That said, Spirit and other struggling carriers surviving may be beneficial to competition in the industry; or, it can be the moral hazard argument some are attempting to make. Either way, I think this administration is a mess; the proper way to do a bailout (and a war) is clearly through Congress. I guess rules are for chumps, though, huh?
@Win Whitmire — I wouldn’t vilify random check-in agents; it’s management that decides and enforces those greedy corporate policies. The people making minimum wage aren’t your/our enemies here. But, if it makes you feel better, yeah, fine, keep punching down, I guess… *facepalm*
With all the opposition during the past 24 hours expect Trump just to let this dangle in the wind. Even if it’s announced there will likely to an emergency filing to stay any investment. If what Gary said is true about Spirit’s unrestricted cash situation there’s no way the airline could make it another week waiting for the courts to ultimately decide.
The guy is a complete moron.
@Gene — George has some bad takes on here and elsewhere. But I wouldn’t call him a mor… oh, you meant the President… bah!!
@George Romey — Less ‘dangle’ in the wind, and more like a ‘fart’ in the wind.
Winston: “2026: “Surely at least one of his cabinet secretaries doesn’t have a drinking problem?””
Linda McMahon is married to Vince. She’s forgiven.
Gummint is run by gangstas. Assume the law prohibiting foreign ownership of US airlines is unenforced like the War Powers Act, Hatch Act, Emoluments Clause, et al. As Rod Blagojevich once said on a wiretapped recording, “I’ve got this thing and it’s f***ing golden”.
I have an idea.
Bring Pam Bondi back and force her to run Spirit.
That’s purgatory and will drive her (more) insane than she already is.