RFK Jr. Reportedly Used $9,000-an-Hour Military Jet to Attend GOP Campaign Events

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has used military aircraft for domestic travel, including for an Iowa trip where he appeared alongside Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections, according to The Washington Post.

President Donald Trump’s administration approved Kennedy’s use of the aircraft, with both the White House and Department of Health and Human Services lawyers signing off, The Post reported Thursday, citing five sources who spoke to the outlet.

Kennedy traveled to Iowa last month aboard a military jet, according to two people who spoke to the outlet:

An Air Force-operated Gulfstream jet flew on Aug. 17 from the Washington area to Des Moines, arriving several hours ahead of Kennedy’s first event in the state. The Defense Department charges about $9,000 per hour for use of that Gulfstream jet.

Two of the people said that the flight path and jet corresponded with Kennedy’s schedule. The White House and HHS did not respond to questions about that flight.

Under a government-wide program set up to reduce the costs of federal workers’ air travel, it costs roughly $250 to book a commercial flight between Washington and Des Moines.

Kennedy appeared during his Iowa trip with several Republican candidates, including Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), who is running for reelection, and Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn.

The health secretary was also carrying out official business while in the state, including announcing an initiative aimed at helping parents battling addiction and touring a community health center.

Officials told The Post that Kennedy’s military travel has been limited and that he still flies commercially for many trips, with health officials pointing to his packed schedule, high profile, protective detail, and threats against senior officials as reasons military transportation may sometimes be warranted.

It’s not clear exactly how often Kennedy has traveled aboard military aircraft, the paper added.

The arrangement marks a major contrast from Trump’s first administration. In 2017, the president’s first health secretary, Tom Price, resigned following scrutiny over his use of private charter flights for government travel.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!