Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign spent $2.6 million on private jets in the final weeks of her unsuccessful 2024 bid, contributing to a total of $12 million spent on this mode of travel throughout the campaign, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data. Despite her previous calls for reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change, Harris relied heavily on private aviation, which is significantly more polluting than commercial flights.
In addition to the jet expenses, Harris’ campaign records revealed other extravagant spending:
- Over $12,000 on food delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash since July.
- At least $12,000 on luxury ice cream brands after President Biden was removed from the ticket.
- $62,772 on accommodations and catering at the five-star Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington, DE, earlier in the campaign.
- $9,600 spent at Pebble Bar near Rockefeller Center for food and drinks.
- $6,000 to rent a board game café in Tempe, AZ, for campaign events targeting college students.
The campaign also donated $5.6 million to 24 left-leaning groups, including some supported by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations. These organizations focused on voter mobilization in swing states and advocacy among Black and Latino communities.
Critics, including GOP consultant Erin Perrine, accused the campaign of prioritizing lavish expenses over effective voter outreach, while Democratic strategists expressed frustration over poor resource allocation. Harris’ campaign, which raised $1.6 billion through combined efforts, concluded with $20 million in debt after a resounding defeat to Donald Trump, who gained traction nationwide.
Campaign spending records for the final weeks remain incomplete, suggesting that the total expenses may increase further. The campaign has yet to comment on these revelations, which have sparked outrage among Democratic operatives and environmental advocates alike.
