Trump says ‘maybe’ government should help struggling Spirit Airlines

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the federal government could help struggling Spirit Airlines as the discount carrier faces the possibility of liquidation.

Trump told CNBC’s “Squawk Box”: “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.”

Spirit has been struggling to find its footing after filing for bankruptcy protection in August for the second time in less than a year. The airline expected to emerge from bankruptcy in the middle of 2026, but the surge in fuel prices since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February have become an added challenge.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later on Tuesday is set to meet with several discount carriers to discuss the impact of higher fuel on their businesses, and attendees are expected to ask for potential tax relief, people familiar with the matter said, requesting anonymity to speak about matters that had not yet been made public.

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