Published May 1, 2026, 12:50 p.m. EDT | Updated May 1, 2026, 1:18 p.m. EDT
Trump previously said the government was willing to take a stake in Spirit at the ‘right price’ President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States has submitted a final bailout proposal to Spirit Airlines to help the beleaguered carrier.
Trump said, “We’re making a tough deal” and that “if we could do it, we would.” But only if it’s a good match. » He also said that an announcement would be made soon.
The budget airline recently asked the US government for a $500 million lifeline. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the airline is preparing to wind down operations after a deal could not be reached between some bondholders and the government.
Sources later said the administration had proposed $500 million in funding in exchange for warrants equivalent to 90% of Spirit’s capital.
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Spirit Airlines planes at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
There have been disagreements within the Trump administration over whether and how to fund the bailout, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Not all Spirit bondholders were on board with the deal, the report added.
Trump previously said he wanted to help the airline.
“If we could get it at the right price, I would do it to save jobs,” he said at an event at Oval Office last week.
Reuters contributed to this report.
