OPINION:
“Never trust a socialist with a summer home.” —Colin Quinn
Oh, the irony. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, self-proclaimed democratic socialists, are flying high, quite literally, on their anti-capitalism crusade.
But don’t be fooled by their fiery rhetoric against the wealthy elite or their tirades about environmental injustice. These two are living proof that socialism can coexist quite comfortably with first-class perks and private jets.
AOC, who once declared that “capitalism is irredeemable,” seems to be redeeming it just fine. After all, how else could she deliver her anti-capitalist sermons to packed venues without her trusty private jet?
And Bernie? He’s been yelling about “unfettered capitalism” destroying the environment from the comfort of leather-clad private jet seats worth $15,000 an hour. Nothing says “power to the people” quite like contributing to carbon emissions 14 times greater than those caused by commercial flights.
Cue the critics, because this tour de hypocrisy has been great fodder for laughter. “Champagne socialists Bernie and AOC demand Americans surrender their pickup trucks, air conditioning, and meat from the luxe leather seats of their private jets,” quipped Ben Petersen from the National Republican Congressional Committee.
And honestly, he’s not wrong. Bernie’s book “It’s OK To Be Angry About Capitalism” is a bestseller, and the book tour is a capitalist masterpiece, complete with $95 tickets and exclusive appearances. Who knew socialism could be so lucrative?
The real hilarity comes from AOC, who in the past has bemoaned private jets. “For real, how many private jets do these CEOs need? It is insatiable. It is unacceptable,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said in 2023.
Sadly, private jets aren’t always available for AOC’s busy schedule. When she’s not jet-setting above us common folk in flyover country, she’s enjoying the “luxury seating” of first-class commercial flights. Just your average working-class hero, reclining with a mimosa while tweeting about income inequality.
One critic, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican who also represents AOC’s home district of Brooklyn, had a prophetic reaction to the report. “Socialists are hypocrites. I’m surprised she didn’t take a private jet like most of her comrades,” she quipped.
Bernie, of course, has been playing the socialist long game. At 83, he’s an expert in the fine art of railing against the wealthy while amassing wealth.
Back in 2017, he raked in over $1 million (his Senate salary was just $174,000). That’s enough capitalism to snag your standard “humble socialist starter pack”: three homes, including a waterfront mansion in Vermont worth a cool $575,000.
But does Bernie put his name on his property? Of course not — that’s what family trusts are for. Because nothing screams “down with the oligarchy” like legally shielding your assets.
Beyond property, Bernie’s campaign coffers seem equally well-stocked. His PAC, Friends of Bernie Sanders, spent $221,000 on private jet travel in just the first quarter of 2025 alone. That’s enough to make Elon Musk jealous.
Forget his fiery warnings about carbon emissions and his push for the Democrats’ failed Green New Deal (proposed in 2019 by AOC, who literally wants to halt fossil fuel production). “He flies in style, then lectures the rest of us on cutting our carbon footprint,” one Republican strategist said on Fox News.
And while AOC hasn’t quite hit Bernie-level socialism-chic yet, give her time. With her own $174,000 congressional salary and the ability to draw a spotlight wherever she goes, it’s only a matter of time before we hear about her “humble” second or third home.
The secret sauce to socialist success seems to be running for president. Mr. Sanders has perfected the art of collecting campaign donations from the people and corporations he’s been criticizing for decades, all while chalking up personal expenses as part of the fight.
Meanwhile, whispers already suggest AOC could be gearing up for a 2028 presidential bid. If she’s learned anything from Bernie, it’s this: Keep running, and the houses, the travel and the perks will follow.
If nothing else, Bernie and AOC remind us all that socialism, like capitalism, is about seizing opportunities. While their fans cheer “Eat the Rich!” these two are busy picking out the fine dining location.
Call it hypocrisy, contradiction or what it really is: proof that nothing sells quite like the promise of tearing down the system you’re profiting from.
• Joseph Curl covered the White House and politics for a decade for The Washington Times. He can be reached at josephcurl@gmail.com and on Twitter @josephcurl.
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