Trump Confirms Possible U.S. Takeover Of Spirit If 'Price Is Right'

Apr 23, 2026 ·
Trump Confirms Possible U.S. Takeover Of Spirit If 'Price Is Right'

Summary:

  • Trump Confirms possible U.S. Gov't takeover of Spirit 

  • WSJ says the Trump administration's possible $500 million rescue deal could leave the U.S. government with 90% control.

  • WSJ says Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is leading the effort in U.S.-Spirit talks.

  • BBG reported earlier on a potential $500 million rescue loan for Spirit.

  • News of a possible rescue loan for Spirit emerged last week.

Polymarket:

 

US takes a stake in Spirit Airlines by May 31?
Yes 36% · No 64%
View full market & trade on Polymarket
Spirit Airlines shutdown/liquidation by May 31?
Yes 51% · No 49%
View full market & trade on Polymarket

Trump Confirms Possible Taxpayer Takeover Of Spirit

In the Oval Office early Thursday evening, President Trump was asked by a reporter about a potential taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines.

A reporter asked Trump: "Is the government going to buy a stake in Spirit Airlines?"

Trump responded:

So, Spirit is an airline that's had some trouble. They were going to merge with People Express or one of them a number of years ago and Barack Hussein Obama decided it was a bad idea. How did that work out? It was bad for both of them. That would have been a natural merger—not United, American, but Spirit.

We're looking at helping them. We have 18,000 people that live in this country—some great people and great employees. We're thinking about doing it, helping them out—meaning bailing them out or buying them out.

We may just buy it! We'd be getting it virtually debt-free. They have some good aircraft and some good assets... and when the price of oil goes down, we could sell it for a profit. I'd love to be able to save those jobs. I want to be able to save an airline. You know, I like having a lot of airlines so it's competitive.

So we are looking at Spirit. It's in bankruptcy court. And we're looking, if we could get it for the right price, I'd do it to save the jobs. And we have somebody that wants to run it, do a good job. Smart person. And if they run it properly and if prices come down, all of a sudden it's a valuable asset. And some very good slots too which are pretty valuable.

More Color on Potential Deal

Shortly after, The Wall Street Journal reported on the Trump administration's potential rescue package for bankrupt Spirit Airlines. Bloomberg followed with a report stating that the emergency deal to save Spirit could give the U.S. government the option to own up to 90% of the carrier after bankruptcy.

Both reports state that the draft deal could provide up to $500 million in financing in exchange for warrants tied to a large equity stake, although talks remain ongoing and no final agreement has been reached. Bloomberg reports that

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is leading the effort to save Spirit through an emergency agreement.

WSJ Breaks Story on Trump Admin Nearing Possible Rescue Loan for Spirit 

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Trump administration is nearing a rescue deal for bankrupt Spirit Airlines that could include up to a $500 million loan in exchange for warrants that would give the federal government a potentially large equity stake.

The WSJ noted that the Transportation and Commerce Departments are involved in talks to help save struggling Spirit, which faces the risk of imminent liquidation.

Last week, multiple news outlets reported that Spirit was flying on fumes as soaring jet fuel prices pushed the bankrupt airline deeper into turmoil. The carrier, in its second bankruptcy since 2024, had been set to exit bankruptcy this summer, but the jet fuel price shock clearly derailed those plans.

There was also a report late last week from aviation news website The Air Current stating that the airline had asked the Trump administration for "hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency funding" to prevent liquidation by creditors.

Then on Tuesday, President Trump told CNBC's Squawk Box that the federal government could help Spirit.

"I don't mind mergers. I think I'd love somebody to buy Spirit, as an example. You know, Spirit's in trouble. ... Maybe the federal government should help that one out," Trump said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy met with budget carriers later on Tuesday to discuss the impact of higher jet fuel prices on their businesses.

 

If the federal government provides Spirit with a rescue deal in exchange for a major stake in the airline, it would add the airline to the growing list of firms in which the Trump administration has taken stakes, including Intel, MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, Trilogy Metals, and others.

Tyler Durden Thu, 04/23/2026 - 19:29