Elizabeth Warren blasted for cheering blocking of – Business News
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is below fire after Spirit Airlines abruptly shut down, with critics citing her declare that blocking a merger that might have saved the troubled service was “a Biden win for flyers.”
Spirit introduced early Saturday it will stop operations instantly, canceling all flights and shutting down customer support, leaving many vacationers stranded.
The collapse is reigniting debate over whether or not federal regulators obtained it flawed in blocking a proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger, with opponents now arguing the choice might have lowered competitors and contributed to the airline’s downfall.
“I’ve warned for months that a @JetBlue-@SpiritAirlines merger would have led to fewer flights and higher fares,” Warren wrote in a March 2024 post on X. “@JusticeATR and @USDOT were right to stand up for consumers and fight against runaway airline consolidation. This is a Biden win for flyers!”
Biden administration officers made related arguments on the time. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland mentioned in a March 2024 assertion: “The Justice Department proved in court that a merger between JetBlue and Spirit would have caused tens of millions of travelers to face higher fares and fewer choices.” He added: “Today’s decision by JetBlue is yet another victory for the Justice Department’s work on behalf of American consumers.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren attends a listening to in Washington, DC, on April 30, 2026. Bloomberg through Getty Images
A Spirit Airlines jet sits on the tarmac at Orlando International Airport on May 2, 2026. REUTERS
Then-Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter additionally framed the ruling as a win for shoppers: “Our win in court is a victory for US travelers who deserve lower prices and better choices.”
The US Department of Transportation, led by former Secretary Pete Buttigieg, additionally backed the choice earlier within the course of.
In a 2023 assertion, the company mentioned it “fully supports the Justice Department’s lawsuit… to block the proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger,” arguing the deal would “eliminat[e] the largest, most aggressive ultra-low-cost competitor” and “substantially reduc[e] competition.”
Spiking fuel costs from Trump’s conflict was the nail within the coffin for twice-bankrupted Spirit airline.FWIW, JetBlue merger failed as a result of a choose, appointed by Ronald Reagan, mentioned the deal was unlawful.Republicans are determined to shift blame from increased prices hitting households.— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 2, 2026
Warren defended her place following Spirit’s collapse in a new post on X.
“Spiking fuel prices from Trump’s war was the nail in the coffin for twice-bankrupted Spirit airline,” she wrote. “FWIW, JetBlue merger failed because a judge, appointed by Ronald Reagan, said the deal was illegal. Republicans are desperate to shift blame from higher costs hitting families.”
Warren’s workplace pointed to rising fuel prices as a key think about Spirit’s collapse in an electronic mail to FOX Business.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum evaluation at GasBuddy, wrote on X that Spirit’s restructuring plan had assumed jet fuel prices of about $2.24 per gallon in 2026, however costs had climbed to roughly $4.51 per gallon by the top of April.
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A group notice on X, which is written by platform customers, pushed back on Warren’s claims.
“Senator Warren previously helped block the merger of JetBlue and Spirit which would have resulted in a 5th major airline and more competition against major airlines.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the sooner choice to dam the merger.
“This merger should have been allowed,” Duffy mentioned Saturday. “This is not better for travelers. This is not better for pricing. This is not better for competition… It’s worse. We had an airline go down,” Duffy mentioned.
A JetBlue flight takes off in entrance of a group of Spirit Airlines planes on May 2, 2026. Getty Images
A message is displayed at a Spirit Airlines self-service check-in kiosk at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026. AFP through Getty Images
Spirit’s shutdown has left vacationers scrambling, with main airways capping fares and offering restricted aid choices for stranded passengers, whereas displaced staff are being directed to hiring pipelines at competing carriers, as beforehand reported by FOX Business.
The Justice Department sued to dam the JetBlue-Spirit deal below antitrust law, arguing it will eradicate a key low-cost competitor and raise costs on overlapping routes.
A federal choose in the end agreed, blocking the merger after a multi-week trial.
A girl holds her daughter at a Spirit Airlines check-in in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after the airline shut down operations on May 2, 2026. AP
Spirit had struggled financially for years and had beforehand filed for chapter because it sought to stabilize its business.
The Trump administration mentioned it explored choices to keep Spirit afloat, however a proposed bailout did not materialize earlier than the airline shut down operations, as FOX Business beforehand reported, leaving ongoing debate over whether or not earlier regulatory choices performed a function in its collapse.
Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy, Sophia Compton, Michael Sinkewicz and FOX Business’ Matthew Kazin contributed to this reporting.
