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Rubio flew on government aircraft to Gainesville at least 23 times, Post analysis finds

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 8 outlets, mostly left-leaning (88%).

12 articles in total, 3 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

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A Washington Post analysis of flight records found that Secretary of State Marco Rubio flew on government aircraft to Gainesville, Florida, at least 23 times since taking office in 2025, including trips tied to at least 10 University of Florida football games, where his son plays. The Post estimates the flights cost more than $1.2 million. The State Department says Rubio is required to fly on government aircraft. Rubio told the Post the trips were to see his son play. A State Department official called the report “moronic,” according to Fox News. Former press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Rubio on X, according to The Daily Beast.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. Editors read every story. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Rubio flew on government aircraft to Gainesville at least 23 times since taking office, according to a Washington Post analysis of flight records.

    One side only: the leftReported byFar Left2Left2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The Daily Beast, Raw Story
    Left
    The Washington Post, The Independent

  2. The flights cost more than $1.2 million, according to the Post's estimate.

    One side only: the leftReported byFar Left3Left2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The New Republic, The Daily Beast, Raw Story
    Left
    The Independent, The Guardian

  3. The State Department says Rubio is required to travel by government aircraft.

    Reported byLeft1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    The Washington Post
    Far Right
    Fox News

  4. Rubio told the Post the trips were to see his son play, and that he will keep attending events important to him and his family.

    One side only: the leftReported byLeft2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    The Washington Post, The Independent

  5. A State Department official called the Post report “moronic.”

    One outletFox News· Far Right

How each side tells it

Compare views

Both sides report that Rubio used government aircraft for trips to see his son's Florida football games, and that the State Department says such flights are required. Left headlines stress the $1.2 million cost, while right headlines stress the State Department's rebuttal and the Post's treatment of a father.

  • the left

    7 outlets

    Left headlines put the $1.2 million cost and taxpayer funding first, with far-left outlets adding loaded words like perk and trip; the Post's own headline stresses Rubio's rarely missed games.

    Marco Rubio spent over $1.2m of taxpayer money traveling to son’s football games
    The GuardianLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    No coverage yet

    No center outlet that Mantle follows has covered this story yet. That absence is part of the picture.

  • the right

    1 outlet · 2 opinion

    Right headlines cast the story as the Post targeting Rubio over a father attending his son's games, and lead with the State Department's rebuttal; far-right opinion pieces mock the Post's reporting.

    State Department official Loaded verb“blasts”The verb “blasts” adds a sharp tone of attack where “criticizes” reports the same act without that tone.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? 'Sensational language“moronic”An insult that describes the report without giving evidence about its accuracy; the outlet is quoting an official.More neutral: criticalThese are State Department official’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?' Washington Post report on Marco Rubio's required military flights
    Fox NewsFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left11

    Rippedis exposedPerk Revealedde facto viceroy

  • Center

    Has not covered this story.

  • Right11

    ominous mood musicHis crimeprowl the tarmacSpy Thriller

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    RippedMore neutral: criticized

    The verb ‘ripped’ conveys harsh condemnation rather than reporting that Leavitt was criticized.

    Leavitt Ripped for Wild Spin on Trump Goon’s Million-Dollar Perk

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)The Independent (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    is exposedMore neutral: is reported

    Exposed implies the travel costs were concealed or improper, which the supplied text does not establish.

    Rubio's old words come back to bite him as his $1.2M football travel tab is exposed

    Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    Perk RevealedMore neutral: Rubio’s $1.2M military flight costs reported

    Revealed implies wrongdoing was hidden, and perk casts the flights as an unearned privilege, while the coverage reports the cost of the trips rather than any concealment.

    Rubio’s $1.2M Military Jet Perk Revealed

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    ominous mood musicMore neutral: dramatic tone

    Characterizes the Post's tone as menacing, adding drama the reporting does not establish.

    Take away the ominous mood music, and that’s the Washington Post’s big exposé on Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

Show 18 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded modifier

    His crimeMore neutral: His trip

    Labels a trip a crime before any finding that a rule was broken.

    His crime is flying to Gainesville to watch his son Anthony suit up for the Florida Gators.

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    prowl the tarmacMore neutral: stand on the tarmac

    Describes security agents with a verb suggesting menace rather than routine presence.

    …A government jet glides in and a convoy of dark SUVs rolls up as security agents prowl the tarmac.

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Spy ThrillerMore neutral: detailed account

    Frames a routine report on official travel as dramatic fiction before any wrongdoing is shown.

    WaPo Turned Rubio’s Football Trips Into A Spy Thriller And Buried The Rule That Blows Up The Plot

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Buried The RuleMore neutral: did not lead with the rule

    Implies the Post deliberately concealed the rule rather than leaving it out of its framing.

    WaPo Turned Rubio’s Football Trips Into A Spy Thriller And Buried The Rule That Blows Up The Plot

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    de facto viceroyMore neutral: U.S. official handling Venezuela policy

    ‘Viceroy’ is a colonial-era title that adds a judgement about Rubio’s authority over Venezuela beyond his listed roles.

    …Development, the acting archivist for the National Archives and the de facto viceroy of Venezuela, among other things — it’s tempting to assume he doesn’t have a lot…

    Used byMS NOW (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    MAGA’s former mouthpieceMore neutral: Karoline Leavitt

    The label ‘mouthpiece’ pre-judges Leavitt as a partisan spokesperson rather than naming her role.

    MAGA’s former mouthpiece is being slammed for a tone-deaf defense of Marco Rubio’s personal flights on…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    slammedMore neutral: criticized

    ‘Slammed’ presents the response as an attack and adds judgement to the reporting.

    MAGA’s former mouthpiece is being slammed for a tone-deaf defense of Marco Rubio’s personal flights on taxpayers’ dime.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    tone-deaf defenseMore neutral: defense

    ‘Tone-deaf’ is a judgement of Leavitt’s remarks rather than a description of what she said.

    MAGA’s former mouthpiece is being slammed for a tone-deaf defense of Marco Rubio’s personal flights on taxpayers’ dime.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Wild SpinMore neutral: comments

    ‘Wild’ adds drama and judgement to a description of Leavitt’s remarks.

    Leavitt Ripped for Wild Spin on Trump Goon’s Million-Dollar Perk

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Dehumanizing label

    Trump GoonMore neutral: Rubio

    ‘Goon’ is a contemptuous label for Rubio that carries judgement beyond the facts reported.

    Leavitt Ripped for Wild Spin on Trump Goon’s Million-Dollar Perk

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    blastedMore neutral: criticized

    The verb “blasted” adds a sharp tone of attack where “criticized” reports the same act without that tone.

    A State Department official blasted The Washington Post on Wednesday, accusing the paper of publishing a "moronic" report…

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    blastsMore neutral: criticizes

    The verb “blasts” adds a sharp tone of attack where “criticizes” reports the same act without that tone.

    State Department official blasts 'moronic' Washington Post report on Marco Rubio's required military flights

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    any chance to pile on youMore neutral: often criticize Republican officials

    It asserts that mainstream outlets are motivated to attack Republicans, a generalization the excerpt does not support.

    …be even tougher, since most of the mainstream media outlets are looking for any chance to pile on you if you make even the slightest misstep.

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    tries to shameMore neutral: criticizes

    It attributes an intent to shame to the Post rather than describing its article.

    WaPo tries to shame Rubio's use of military aircraft to see son's football games, his team responds

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    a taxpayer scandalMore neutral: a story about taxpayer-funded travel

    It labels the reporting a scandal before any finding of wrongdoing is established.

    …to turn Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trips to his son's football games into a taxpayer scandal, then spent much of its own story explaining why it isn't one.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Tried to ShameMore neutral: Criticized

    It asserts the Post's intent to shame Rubio, a motive the coverage does not establish.

    WaPo Tried to Shame Marco Rubio for Being a Great Dad, and It Blew Up in the Blink of an Eye

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    ridiculedMore neutral: criticized

    The verb “ridiculed” adds a judgement of contempt beyond reporting that Leavitt was criticized.

    Former White House press secretary ridiculed for defending Secretary of State Marco Rubio over claims about his tax-payer funded…

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    roastedMore neutral: criticized

    The verb “roasted” adds ridicule beyond reporting that Leavitt was criticized.

    Karoline Leavitt roasted for her defense of Rubio after reports he spent $1.2 million on private trips

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

Words quoted from someone else (1)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    moronicMore neutral: critical

    An insult that describes the report without giving evidence about its accuracy; the outlet is quoting an official.

    State Department official blasts 'moronic' Washington Post report on Marco Rubio's required military flights

    Quoted byFox News (Far Right)

    These are State Department official’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

7 outlets

Leads with

  • $1.2 million taxpayer cost
  • trips to son's football games
  • Leavitt's defense ridiculed
See the 7 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
  • The IndependentLeft

    Karoline Leavitt Loaded verb“roasted”The verb “roasted” adds ridicule beyond reporting that Leavitt was criticized.More neutral: criticizedDisagree with this highlight? for her defense of Rubio after reports he spent $1.2 million on private trips

    Former White House press secretary Loaded verb“ridiculed”The verb “ridiculed” adds a judgement of contempt beyond reporting that Leavitt was criticized.More neutral: criticizedDisagree with this highlight? for defending Secretary of State Marco Rubio over claims about his tax-payer funded travel schedule

    Read at The Independent (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily BeastFar Left

    Leavitt Loaded verb“Ripped”The verb ‘ripped’ conveys harsh condemnation rather than reporting that Leavitt was criticized.More neutral: criticizedDisagree with this highlight? for Sensational language“Wild Spin”‘Wild’ adds drama and judgement to a description of Leavitt’s remarks.More neutral: commentsDisagree with this highlight? on Dehumanizing label“Trump Goon”‘Goon’ is a contemptuous label for Rubio that carries judgement beyond the facts reported.More neutral: RubioDisagree with this highlight?’s Million-Dollar Perk

    Karoline Leavitt has come under fire after she slipped back into her role as White House spin doctor to downplay revelations about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s taxpayer-funded personal travel. …

    Read at The Daily Beast (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from The Daily Beast
  • MS NOWFar Left

    Rubio relies on costly military jets to attend college football games

    During Donald Trump’s first term, several cabinet secretaries faced controversies over taxpayer-financed travel. Years later, it’s happening again.

    Read at MS NOW (opens in a new tab)
  • The New RepublicFar Left

    How Much Taxpayers Paid So Marco Rubio Could Go to Football Games

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been going to college football games on the taxpayer’s dime. The Washington Post reports that Rubio almost never misses a University of Florida Gators football game, as his son Anthony is a walk-on running back for the team.

    Read at The New Republic (opens in a new tab)
  • The GuardianLeft

    Marco Rubio spent over $1.2m of taxpayer money traveling to son’s football games

    Ethics watchdogs question necessity of the US secretary of state flying between DC and Gainesville so often Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has emerged as a superfan of the University of Florida’s football team, spending more than $1.2m of taxpayers’ money on frequent …

    Read at The Guardian (opens in a new tab)
  • Raw StoryFar Left

    Rubio's old words come back to bite him as his $1.2M football travel tab Loaded verb“is exposed”Exposed implies the travel costs were concealed or improper, which the supplied text does not establish.More neutral: is reportedDisagree with this highlight?

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio has run up more than $1.2 million in taxpayer-funded flights to Gainesville, Florida, many of them to watch his son’s college football team play. …

    Read at Raw Story (opens in a new tab)
  • The Washington PostLeft

    Flying by pricey military jet, Rubio rarely misses a Florida football game

    The secretary of state, who is required to travel by government plane, defended his trips to his alma mater to see his son play.

    Read at The Washington Post (opens in a new tab)

From the center

0 outlets

No center outlet that Mantle follows has covered this story yet. That absence is part of the picture.

From the right

1 outlet · 2 opinion

Leads with

  • State Department rebuttal
  • government flights are required
  • Post's attack on a father

Leaves out

  • the $1.2 million cost estimate

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 3 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • Fox NewsFar Right

    State Department official Loaded verb“blasts”The verb “blasts” adds a sharp tone of attack where “criticizes” reports the same act without that tone.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? 'Sensational language“moronic”An insult that describes the report without giving evidence about its accuracy; the outlet is quoting an official.More neutral: criticalThese are State Department official’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?' Washington Post report on Marco Rubio's required military flights

    The State Department called a Washington Post report on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's military aircraft use "moronic," noting he is required to fly on government planes.

    Read at Fox News (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from Fox News
  • RedStateFar RightOpinion

    WaPo Loaded verb“Tried to Shame”It asserts the Post's intent to shame Rubio, a motive the coverage does not establish.More neutral: CriticizedDisagree with this highlight? Marco Rubio for Being a Great Dad, and It Blew Up in the Blink of an Eye

    The Washington Post tried on Wednesday to turn Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trips to his son's football games into Sensational language“a taxpayer scandal”It labels the reporting a scandal before any finding of wrongdoing is established.More neutral: a story about taxpayer-funded travelDisagree with this highlight?, then spent much of its own story explaining why it isn't one. It was an impressive bit of self-owning.

    Read at RedState (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily WireFar RightOpinion

    WaPo Turned Rubio’s Football Trips Into A Sensational language“Spy Thriller”Frames a routine report on official travel as dramatic fiction before any wrongdoing is shown.More neutral: detailed accountDisagree with this highlight? And Loaded verb“Buried The Rule”Implies the Post deliberately concealed the rule rather than leaving it out of its framing.More neutral: did not lead with the ruleDisagree with this highlight? That Blows Up The Plot

    Stop the presses: a father went to his kid’s football games. Take away the Sensational language“ominous mood music”Characterizes the Post's tone as menacing, adding drama the reporting does not establish.More neutral: dramatic toneDisagree with this highlight?, and that’s the Washington Post’s big exposé on Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Loaded modifier“His crime”Labels a trip a crime before any finding that a rule was broken.More neutral: His tripDisagree with this highlight? is flying to Gainesville to watch his son Anthony suit up for the Florida Gators. …

    Read at The Daily Wire (opens in a new tab)

The stories you read build My Mix, a private picture of which sides cover the stories you choose, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    First to report

    The Washington Post, Nov 11, 5:00 AM EST

  • Center

    No report yet

    From the outlets Mantle follows

  • Right

    12 hr 44 min later

    Its first report, Nov 11, 5:44 PM EST

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. The Washington PostLeftNov 11, 5:00 AM EST
  2. Raw StoryFar LeftNov 11, 10:00 AM EST
  3. The Daily BeastFar LeftNov 11, 10:18 AM EST
  4. The GuardianLeftNov 11, 11:47 AM EST
  5. The New RepublicFar LeftNov 11, 11:57 AM EST
  6. MS NOWFar LeftNov 11, 3:57 PM EST
  7. Fox NewsFar RightNov 11, 5:44 PM EST
  8. The IndependentLeftNov 12, 10:59 AM EST

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

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