Rubio’s Florida Football Trips Cost Taxpayers More Than $1.2 Million

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has flown on government aircraft to Gainesville on no fewer than 23 occasions after starting his post last year, including for at least 10 University of Florida football games. The flights have cost more than $1.2 million, based on Defense Department hourly rates and flight records. The State Department classified 15 trips as solely personal; seven others included both personal and official travel.

Calculations put the cost of the personal trips at about $770,600 and the mixed-purpose trips at $443,900. His son Anthony plays running back for Florida as a non-scholarship player. He has appeared in four games over four years, gaining 75 yards.

Rubio is barred from commercial flights for security reasons and must use government aircraft, including for personal travel. But reimbursement is based on the price of an economy-class ticket, not the cost of operating the aircraft. The department and Rubio did not disclose how much he repaid. Estimates based on commercial fares put the amount at roughly $18,000 to $33,000.

Rubio said he would keep trying to attend events important to him and his family. State Department spokesperson Dylan Johnson said the flights help preserve government operations and protected communications.

The issue echoes Rubio’s 2023 call for a probe of the aircraft travel by Pete Buttigieg, who was transportation secretary at the time. The inspector general found Buttigieg followed the rules; his government-aircraft travel cost $59,000. Ethics experts say Rubio’s trips may comply with federal requirements but question whether the spending is appropriate.

Rubio’s $1.2 Million Football Travel Bill Raises Taxpayer Questions

Marco Rubio has used government aircraft for at least 23 trips to Gainesville since becoming secretary of state, including at least 10 visits for University of Florida games. The flights cost more than $1.2 million by Defense Department hourly-rate calculations, with 15 trips designated solely personal. That spending deserves scrutiny even if the travel meets federal rules.

The estimated bill includes $770,600 for personal trips and $443,900 for trips mixing personal and official travel. Rubio’s son Anthony plays as a non-scholarship running back and has appeared in four games over four years. The public is covering the substantial cost of aircraft used for family occasions, while Rubio’s required repayment is only the equivalent of an economy fare.

Rubio and the State Department did not disclose his reimbursement. Estimates put it between about $18,000 and $33,000, far below the operating costs. Rubio says he will continue attending events important to his family; State Department official Dylan Johnson says the flights preserve secure communications and continuity of government.

Rubio previously called for an inquiry into Pete Buttigieg’s government-aircraft use, invoking taxpayers’ right to assurances that public money was not wasted. The inspector general found Buttigieg complied with the rules, and his flights cost $59,000. Rubio’s much larger travel tab makes his past demand especially difficult to square with his present defense.

Rubio’s Required Security Flights Draw a Double Standard Charge

Marco Rubio’s government flights to Gainesville have drawn criticism after their estimated cost topped $1.2 million. But the secretary of state is prohibited from flying commercially for security reasons and must use government aircraft even when traveling for personal reasons. The rules require repayment at an economy-ticket rate, not the full operating cost of a military jet.

At least 23 flights have taken Rubio to Gainesville since he took office last year, including at least 10 Gators games. Fifteen trips were classified as solely personal, with seven combining personal and official travel. The estimated costs were $770,600 and $443,900, respectively. His son Anthony plays running back for Florida as a non-scholarship player.

Rubio and the State Department did not reveal how much he repaid. Fare-based estimates range from about $18,000 to $33,000. Rubio says he will keep attending family events, while State Department official Dylan Johnson argues government aircraft maintain continuity of operations and secure communications.

The scrutiny also revives Rubio’s 2023 call for an inquiry into Pete Buttigieg’s aircraft travel. The inspector general found Buttigieg followed federal rules, and his government-aircraft travel totaled $59,000. If the rules require senior officials to use these aircraft for security, the debate should distinguish mandated travel from the much lower reimbursement the rules impose.