Hey folks, pull up a chair, because we’ve got a bit of news that might make you spill your coffee. It seems Uncle Sam, or rather, the Department of Homeland Security, has been on a little shopping spree, and guess what’s on the list? Brand new private jets [1]. Yes, you heard that right, private jets. And not just any jets, we’re talking about two shiny new Gulfstream G700s [3], reportedly costing a cool $172 million of your hard-earned taxpayer dollars [2].
Oh yeah, did we mention that the government is still shutdown while they’re doing this?
A Pricey Ride for Top Officials
Now, who are these luxury liners for? Well, according to multiple reports, these magnificent flying machines are for the use of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem [4] and other high-ranking department officials [1], [7]. It’s a bit like buying a monster truck for your kid’s commute to elementary school when a perfectly good bus stop is just around the corner, isn’t it? Except, in this case, the monster truck is a private jet, and your kid is a government official.
This isn’t just some rumor floating around the internet. Government contracts have been cited by several publications confirming the purchase [3]. The cost is consistently reported at $172 million, though one report did mention a figure of $200 million for the two jets [4]. Either way, it’s enough to make your wallet wince.
“ICE Barbie” Gets New Wings
Secretary Noem, sometimes referred to as ‘ICE Barbie’ in some circles [5], [6], is facing a bit of a backlash over this lavish expenditure [6]. You see, when folks hear about their tax dollars going towards luxury travel for officials, especially when there are plenty of commercial options available, it tends to rub them the wrong way. It’s a bit like when you plan a family road trip, meticulously budget for gas and snacks, and then find out someone splurged on a diamond-encrusted steering wheel. You’d raise an eyebrow, right?
The Department of Homeland Security has indeed purchased these two Gulfstream jets specifically for Secretary Noem and other top department officials to ride in [2], [7]. While efficiency and security are often cited for such purchases, the sheer cost — $172 million — has definitely sparked a conversation about fiscal responsibility and how our collective resources are being managed. It’s always worth asking: could these funds have been used differently, perhaps for things directly impacting homeland security on the ground, rather than in the air?
Sources & Footnotes
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/10/18/coast-guard-reportedly-spent-172-million-on-private-jets-for-kristi-noems-use/ ↩
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DQCKqePDftK/ ↩
- https://www.newsweek.com/dhs-report-private-jets-bought-for-krist-noem-10902006 ↩
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/18/dhs-jets-kristi-noem-reports/86776610007/ ↩
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ice-barbie-ripped-splurging-172-202159619.html ↩
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15206499/Kristi-Noem-private-jet-purchase-backlash.html ↩
- https://www.facebook.com/100059174186752/posts/1205009951481466/ ↩
Leave a Reply