Post Reports Rubio Used Government Jets for Florida Football Games; Estimated Cost Tops $1.2 Million
Photo: The New RepublicThe Washington Post reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has flown on government aircraft to at least 10 University of Florida football games since taking office in 2025, at an estimated cost to taxpayers of more than $1.2 million. His son Anthony, a senior walk-on running back for the Gators, has played in only four games in four years. According to the Post, Rubio, a UF alumnus, has flown to Gainesville's airport on government aircraft at least 23 times as a Cabinet official, and the State Department classified 15 of those trips as solely personal. One flight earlier this month used a military C-37 jet, and security officers in unmarked SUVs met him on arrival. Former department officials told the paper Rubio takes personal trips far more often than previous secretaries of state.
Rubio is barred from commercial flights for security reasons, as are the defense secretary, attorney general and the heads of the CIA and FBI. He must reimburse the government the price of an economy ticket for each personal trip. The Post said those payments are rarely made public and cover only a small share of actual costs. The State Department said he must use military aircraft to keep access to secure communications at all times, under a policy dating to a 1993 White House memo. The $1.2 million figure is based on flight hours from public trackers multiplied by Pentagon reimbursement rates.
The Daily Wire, on the right, mocks the Post's story, with a headline accusing it of turning the trips into a spy thriller and burying the rule. It leads with the 1993 memo, the secure-communications requirement and the economy-fare reimbursement. It argues the $1.2 million is an estimate, not an itemized accounting of additional costs, while granting the spending can be scrutinized. The Washington Examiner's piece does not address the flights; it asks whether Rubio has been sidelined as envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner lead Russia and Iran talks, citing a Ukrainian diplomat. The New Republic, on the left, leads with the taxpayer cost, giving the 10 games, 23 trips, 15 personal flights, former officials' comments and the small, rarely public reimbursements. It mentions the commercial-flight bar but not the 1993 memo. Both sides cite the Post's figures and the security rule; they differ on whether the cost is the story. The Times of India largely matches the left.
How the sides differ Right sources stress security rules and call the $1.2 million an estimate (one right outlet covers Rubio's diplomatic role instead); left and alternative sources stress taxpayer cost and frequency.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
The New Republic leads with the taxpayer cost, relaying the Washington Post's figures on games attended, flights and personal trips. It quotes former State Department officials and notes that reimbursements are rarely public and cover little of the true cost.
The Times of India summarizes the Washington Post investigation, stressing the $1.2 million estimate and 23 military flights. It notes the security requirement for government aircraft but says the frequency of personal trips raised questions about spending.
- Daily WireWaPo Turned Rubio’s Football Trips Into A Spy Thriller And Buried The Rule That Blows Up The Plot
The Daily Wire disputes the Post's framing, stressing the 1993 policy, secure-communications needs and economy-fare reimbursement, and calls $1.2 million an estimate. The Washington Examiner's piece covers Rubio's role in Russia and Iran diplomacy, quoting a Ukrainian diplomat.