The Trump administration is moving toward a massive financial rescue package for Spirit Airlines, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pinning the blame for the carrier’s near-collapse squarely on the previous administration's regulatory interference.
In a briefing held Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Leavitt told reporters that the Biden Department of Justice made a "reckless" and "unwise" move by blocking the $3.8 billion JetBlue-Spirit merger in 2024. Leavitt argued that the merger would have provided Spirit with a necessary lifeline, and that the DOJ’s antitrust victory effectively guaranteed the airline's current insolvency.
The Financial Rescue Plan:
The White House is reportedly finalizing a deal that could include up to $500 million in government-backed loans to keep the "Yellow Plane" carrier flying through its current bankruptcy.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the federal government would receive warrants in exchange for the capital, potentially giving the U.S. Treasury up to a 90% stake in the airline if it recovers.
The urgency of the bailout is being fueled by a severe "fuel shock" following the start of the war with Iran on February 28, 2026.
Since the conflict began, jet fuel prices have nearly doubled, jumping from $2.50 to $4.23 per gallon.
Transparency notes
Published: Apr 23, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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