Trump Weighs Taxpayer-Funded Rescue of Spirit Airlines, Promises Decision Soon

President Donald Trump said Friday he is still weighing a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines, promising an announcement by Saturday but offering no details on the terms or price tag for American taxpayers.

"We're looking at it. If we could do it, we'll do it. But only if it's a good deal," Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for a trip to Florida. He said his administration had already delivered Spirit "a final proposal" and that his primary motivation was preserving jobs. "We're looking at Spirit and if we can help them, we will. But we have to come first."

For Treasure Coast travelers who rely on low-cost carriers to keep fares competitive at Palm Beach International and Orlando Melbourne International airports — both served by Spirit routes — the airline's fate is more than a Wall Street story. Spirit's collapse would remove one of the few budget options available to St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River County residents flying north or connecting to international itineraries. Labor groups representing Spirit's pilots and flight attendants have argued publicly that allowing the carrier to fail would eliminate jobs and push ticket prices higher across the board.

Trump compared the potential deal to his administration's move to make the federal government a major stockholder in semiconductor manufacturer Intel, while acknowledging the situations differ. Last week, he floated the idea of eventually reselling a government-held Spirit stake for a profit once jet fuel costs, elevated by the ongoing Iran war, decline.

A Spirit attorney told a U.S. Bankruptcy Court a week ago that the airline was in advanced talks with the government on a financing arrangement that could allow it to exit Chapter 11 protection. The Miramar-based carrier filed for bankruptcy in November 2024 and again in August 2025. Creditors last month raised fresh doubts about its ability to keep flying.

The proposal has drawn bipartisan skepticism. Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have questioned whether federal support would amount to a bailout of a carrier unlikely to recover regardless of government intervention.

A bankruptcy court hearing on Spirit's restructuring plan is expected in the coming weeks, according to public court records.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.