Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, have received accolades for their choice to fly economy class on a commercial flight. Their decision stands in contrast to the frequent use of private jets by fellow Democrats Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The couple was captured on video sitting in a window and middle seat aboard an American Airlines flight. This footage was subsequently posted on TikTok, drawing significant attention.
The passenger who filmed the scene shared the clip on Friday, noting, “Robert Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines on my regular flight this morning.”
While the couple was seen departing from Washington, the final destination of their flight remains unknown.
In the video, RFK Jr. is dressed in a suit and tie, while Hines opts for a more casual look in a gray sweater, adjusting her earphones before the plane’s departure.
The video also shows RFK Jr. boarding the plane separately from Hines, engaging in a brief conversation with a security guard as he navigates the aisle with his luggage.
The video was inundated with messages of support for the couple, with many stating Democrats Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez should take notes.
The duo have faced criticism for using private jets to travel across the country for their ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour, which criticizes billionaires.
The duo were filmed sitting in a window and middle seat on board the American Airlines flight and the footage was later shared to TikTok
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortezs were spotted traveling in a private jet while on their ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were spotted in May aboard a cushy Bombardier Challenger jet that reportedly costs $15,000 per hour to operate.
The jet itself comes with a price tag ranging from $5 million to $7 million. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Sanders splashed out nearly $2 million on private flights.
‘Says a lot, doesn’t it? RFK Jr. flying economy while the “people’s champions” ride private jets,’ one supporter wrote.
‘A true patriot,’ another added.
But others described the move as ‘performative’, noting Hines is a celebrity in her own right and that the couple could have at least upgraded their seats.
‘This is silly and performative. Even if RFK is a public servant his wife isn’t. She’s a famous TV star. They could at least fly 1st,’ the critic wrote.
‘RFK Jr. is doing great work… But this is a publicity stunt and it p***es me off,’ another added.
RFK Jr.’s net worth is estimated to be between $15 million and $30 million.
Others described the move as ‘performative’, noting Hines is a celebrity in her own right and that the couple could have at least upgraded their seats
Sanders in May justified his own decision to rely on private jets because he should not be expected to ‘wait in line’ for commercial flights.
Sanders, 83, a longtime Vermont senator and two-time presidential candidate, said he made ‘no apologies’ for the trips.
He told Fox News that ‘you run a campaign, and you do three or four or five rallies in a week, the only way you can go around to talk to 30,000 people,’ is by private jet.
‘You think I’m going to be sitting on a waiting line at United while, what, 30,000 people are waiting around?’ Sanders said. ‘It’s the only way you can get around. No apologies for that.’
The sighting of RFK Jr. and Hines comes a week after she went head-to-head with The View’s Sunny Hostin over her husband’s capacity to serve as Health Secretary.
The Curb Your Enthusiasm actress, 60, was a guest on Tuesday’s episode of the ABC talk show and was grilled about RFK Jr.’s lack of a medical background.
‘He has dedicated his career to suing big corporations because of toxins that have been affecting people’s health,’ she said.
