The Washington Post estimated that government-aircraft costs for 22 of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trips to Gainesville, Florida, exceeded $1.2 million.
The Post’s estimate covered 15 trips classified as solely personal and seven as mixed-use, with aircraft costs calculated using Defense Department rates. It excluded Rubio’s latest trip. The amount he reimbursed has not been disclosed, so the estimate does not establish the net cost to taxpayers.
The Post cited Liz Hempowicz, deputy executive director of American Oversight. Hempowicz said the public should be able to see the basis for each trip classification and any repayment, given how often and at what expense Rubio traveled.
Some of the Gainesville trips coincided with Gators games; others coincided with campus events or breaks in the football schedule, the Post reported. The Guardian reported Wednesday that Rubio’s son, Anthony Rubio, is a walk-on running back for the University of Florida.
