Republican voters who swept Donald Trump into office are expressing confusion this week after their electoral success enabled Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to purchase two luxury Gulfstream G700 private jets at a cost of $172 million during a government shutdown, even as they await federal action to address healthcare costs many describe as unaffordable.
The purchase, which House Appropriations Democrats wrote "appears you are routinely prioritizing yourself and those closest to you over the needs of the USCG servicemembers who protect this nation," has been met with general disapproval by Trump supporters who hope the administration will address rising medical expenses.
Jason Rouse, 53, a retired Michigan firefighter who voted for Trump three times, told reporters "the prices are just ridiculous" when discussing healthcare costs, adding "I'd like to see a lower cap on what I have to pay out-of-pocket." Rouse participated in focus groups where Trump voters discussed their desire for government intervention in healthcare pricing, though he has not commented specifically on whether Secretary Noem's acquisition of aircraft featuring whisper-quiet cabins with 100% fresh, plasma-ionized air represents the type of federal action he seeks.
Democratic lawmakers wrote to Noem that the jets purchase "reflects a continuing trend of self-aggrandizement in your tenure as Secretary" and that "it appears your first priority is your own comfort" rather than organizing and equipping the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard entered into the sole-source contract during a government shutdown, when Coast Guard personnel went without paychecks.
Bob Ward, whose polling firm Fabrizio Ward conducted surveys for Trump's 2024 campaign, told reporters that many voters believe "the market is broken, and that's why they're willing for someone, anyone, to step in" regarding healthcare. "The deck is stacked against folks," Ward said. Ward has not clarified whether his assessment of voter sentiment regarding market intervention applies to the luxury aircraft market.
The timing proves notable, as 54% of Trump voters expect healthcare costs for their families to become less affordable in coming years, according to polling data. Sarah Bognaski, 31, an administrative assistant in New York who voted for Trump, is described as being "among the many Trump voters who say they resent profiteering by the health care industry." Bognaski, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and said "I don't think there is any reason a lot of the costs should be as high as they are," has not issued a statement regarding the DHS spending priorities.
The Coast Guard initially proposed purchasing one used Gulfstream V jet for approximately $50 million in May. The Trump administration subsequently authorized two new G700s at $172 million without updating Congressional committees on the changing acquisition strategy. The G700s are marketed by Gulfstream as having "the most spacious cabin in the industry" and "the largest windows in business aviation."
Congressional Democrats questioned the funding source, writing "please clarify the funding source used to pay for this contract" and noting the Department had not explained "why LRCCA procurement is a better use of taxpayer funds than the original purpose of any such funds." The purchase occurred as enhanced ACA subsidies that reduce premiums by an average of $705 annually are set to expire, which would increase the average enrollee's annual costs from $888 to $1,593.
Ashley Williamson, 37, a mother of five in Tennessee who voted for Trump, told focus groups that Medicaid "stepped in" and "made sure" her mother-in-law "was taken care of" when the family could not provide nursing home care. Williamson expressed concern about potential Medicaid cuts, though Republican congressional leaders are considering significant reductions to the program. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 4.2 million additional people will lack health insurance if enhanced subsidies expire.
Forty-five percent of Republican voters say they would most like to hear Trump talk about healthcare costs, making it a top concern. About half of Republicans say the federal government isn't spending enough on Medicare and Medicaid. Representative Rosa DeLauro wrote that Noem's decision to spend $172 million on luxury travel "suggests that the USCG has been directed to prioritize your own comfort above the USCG's operational needs, even during a government shutdown."
Charles Milliken, 51, a retired auto mechanic from West Virginia who recently had a heart attack, told reporters he voted for Trump because the country "needs a businessman, not a politician." Milliken said he expects Trump to "put a cap on what insurance companies can charge, what doctors can charge, what hospitals can charge." Milliken has not commented on whether cabinet secretaries should face similar caps on luxury travel expenditures.
