Ilhan Omar faces 'champagne socialist' backlash over campaign spending on luxury hotels, chauffeurs
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Ilhan Omar’s campaign is facing scrutiny after recent federal filings revealed thousands of dollars were spent on luxury hotels and private car services away from her district in Minnesota.
The Federal Election Commission records reviewed by Fox News Digital showed that Omar’s campaign spent more than $6,000 on upscale accommodations and transportation between April and June. The expenses included stays at the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage in California, a hotel offering views of the Coachella Valley, and another property located in Times Square.
Ilhan Omar campaign records reveal luxury hotel and travel spending
The filings listed $2,131.90 paid to W New York in Times Square, $1,613.23 to The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, $1,143 to Blacklane Transportation, $926.80 to Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs and $682.41 to the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage.
During the same three-month period, the campaign reported more than $28,000 in total travel expenses and more than $23,000 in food, beverage and catering costs.
The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage describes itself as a resort with views of the Coachella Valley, a private club lounge, concierge service and a spa. The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood promotes its rooftop pool and city views. The Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs highlights its boutique atmosphere, two pools and outdoor spaces.
The W New York in Times Square promotes its sweeping city views and in-house cocktail bar. Blacklane, the chauffeur service used by Omar’s campaign, provides rides in luxury vehicles including Mercedes, BMW and Audi models. Since Omar took office, her campaign has spent more than $5,000 on rides through the company.
Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to Omar’s representatives for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
Republicans criticize Ilhan Omar over campaign expenses
Republican National Committee national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre criticized the spending, saying Omar was "just another champagne socialist who wines and dines at luxury resorts while supporting policies that would make her constituents live in squalor."
Ilhan Omar faces renewed scrutiny over finances
Omar is not the first prominent progressive Democrat to face criticism over campaign spending.
Fox News Digital previously reported that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign spent more than $53,000 on luxury hotels in 2025, including a venue rental tied to a Bad Bunny concert in Puerto Rico. The spending drew accusations of hypocrisy from critics who pointed to her messaging on gentrification and working-class politics.
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has faced similar "champagne socialism" criticism after tax filings showed a household income roughly ten times the state’s median.
The latest spending disclosure adds to existing scrutiny of Omar’s personal finances. Fox News Digital reported that she recently revised a financial disclosure that had listed millions of dollars in assets tied to her and her husband down to as little as $125,000.
Her campaign has also previously faced questions over payments made to her husband Tim Mynett’s consulting firm during the 2020 election cycle.
