Cruz on possible Spirit Airlines bailout: ‘Terrible idea’

The Hill
by Max Rego
April 23, 2026
4 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Senator Ted Cruz called the Trump administration's potential bailout of Spirit Airlines an "absolutely TERRIBLE idea."

How This Affects You

If the administration buys up to 90% of Spirit Airlines, taxpayer money would be used to support a company that has filed for bankruptcy twice.

AI Summary

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) publicly criticized the Trump administration's potential bailout of Spirit Airlines, calling it an "absolutely TERRIBLE idea" on social platform X. The proposed deal, as reported by Bloomberg, could result in the administration owning up to 90 percent of Spirit Airlines. This comes as Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy twice previously. Cruz's strong opposition highlights a potential division within the Republican party regarding government intervention in failing private companies. The White House has not yet confirmed the details of any such bailout.

Source Coverage Map

5 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

12% coverage
Did Not Cover (38)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+33 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Trump Dismisses a Merger While Seeking Suitors for Spirit Airlines
Politics

Trump Dismisses a Merger While Seeking Suitors for Spirit Airlines

As he rejected the idea of a merger of United Airlines and American Airlines, President Trump said someone, including possibly the federal government, should buy or help Spirit.

New York TimesApr 21
Spirit Airlines reached out to Trump administration for emergency bailout
Corporate

Spirit Airlines reached out to Trump administration for emergency bailout

Spirit executives and other low-cost carriers are expected to meet with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy next week.

CBS NewsApr 17
How the airline industry could be impacted if Spirit Airlines is liquidated
Corporate

How the airline industry could be impacted if Spirit Airlines is liquidated

Spirit has not confirmed a liquidation, though it has filed for bankruptcy protection twice. Experts predict rising fuel costs could push the company to close its doors for good.

NPRApr 22
United plane makes emergency landing in Pittsburgh over ‘possible security issue’
National Security

United plane makes emergency landing in Pittsburgh over ‘possible security issue’

<p>Passengers on flight from Chicago to New York exited via slides as FBI, bomb technicians and K-9 unit responded </p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>A United Airlines flight bound for New York City was forced to land and evacuate in Pittsburgh on Saturday morning after crew members reported a “possible security issue”, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration said.</p><p>United flight 2092 took off from Chicago O’Hare airport and had been en route to LaGuardia airport in New York. The plane diverted to Pittsburgh international airport as a result of the reported threat.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202...

The Guardian US NewsApr 18
Cruz: Schumer will shut down government weeks before midterms
Politics

Cruz: Schumer will shut down government weeks before midterms

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) predicted Tuesday that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) would shut down the government shortly before this year’s midterms. “On Sept. 30, funding for the federal government will end. Chuck Schumer is not a creative guy, he’s not hard to predict. Last year, right before the election, what did Schumer do?…

The HillApr 21
Donald Trump’s Latest Crypto Corruption: A Mar-a-Lago Party for His Coin Buyers
Politics

Donald Trump’s Latest Crypto Corruption: A Mar-a-Lago Party for His Coin Buyers

Gas prices are sky high. A war in Iran is far from over. Airlines are running out of jet fuel. And the GOP is stumbling into an important midterm season. So who is Donald Trump making time for on his busy schedule? The 297 people most invested in $TRUMP, his meme coin. Trump is once […]

Mother JonesApr 17
Read Next
Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as less-dangerous drug
Politics

Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as less-dangerous drug

The order signed by Todd Blanche does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under federal law. But it does change the way it's regulated.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources