Let's see how little steam this thread picks up.

Team politics are a joke.

Kansas Kid said:

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infinity ag said:

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aggiedata said:

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They will need another bail out in 12 months.

BREAKING: The Trump Administration is nearing a deal to "rescue" Spirit Airlines, per WSJ.

The deal involves a potential $500 million loan from the Trump Administration, receiving in return warrants to take a potential significant stake in Spirit.

This would add to the Trump… pic.twitter.com/DqHySohquy

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 22, 2026

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ha ha.

When I said America was not and never was free market and capitalist, the Boomers got mad at me.

What do we do that is Free Market? Spirit should be going bankrupt like the banks in 2008. But no we use tax money to bail them out and give the C levels a nice cushion.

America means capitalism ha ha ha.

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Prior to 2008, the country didn't do many bailouts of any kind. We did an S&L and Chrysler bailout in the 80s. The country grew much faster and raised prosperity of the average American faster when we left companies to be run by CEOs and if they failed, they failed. That is a lot closer to Capitalism that raised this country to be the envy of the world and it is the solution to a lot of economic malaise we have today but we are still trending the other way.

Let CEOs run the heart of the economy and not politicians like in Communist/socialist countries.

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You may be right.

But today we do not live in a capitalist society like we claim. Even here many claim that and try to diss others by calling them "socialists". I've been called that many times and I am not insulted. Our own goal today is "let's not tax the billionaires" but they want Homeless Steve to be taxed as "how else will he have skin in the game?" Dude doesn't have a roof over his head and he cares about skin in the game?

100% capitalism does not have any empathy. 100% socialism is a big failure and 3rd world squalor. We need a mix in between. That is the reality. We cannot call ourselves developed or first world if we leave Uncle Jim and Aunt Martha out in the cold just because they got old.

IIIHorn said:

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Spirit.

The official airline of 3am at the Jacksonville, FL Waffle House

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FIFY

GAC06 said:

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He's a doctor curing the spirit!

Another reason We don't live in a capitalist society is the government ****s with the labor market by requiring minimum wage, health insurance for employees, unemployment insurance and welfare. I think both the government bailouts and ****ing with labor markets are huge problems. Don't you agree the government should not offer welfare, demand a minimum wage, etc.

GAC06 said:

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Gonna bail out the Spirit in the sky (Spirit in the sky)
That's what I'm gonna do when I buy (what a guy!)
When I buy and I beat out the rest
You're gonna love my great planes, They're the best

Where are Spirit's creditors? Are they filing an involuntary petition? Or they somehow okay with this? Have already written it off?

infinity ag said:

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Kansas Kid said:

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infinity ag said:

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aggiedata said:

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They will need another bail out in 12 months.

BREAKING: The Trump Administration is nearing a deal to "rescue" Spirit Airlines, per WSJ.

The deal involves a potential $500 million loan from the Trump Administration, receiving in return warrants to take a potential significant stake in Spirit.

This would add to the Trump… pic.twitter.com/DqHySohquy

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 22, 2026

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ha ha.

When I said America was not and never was free market and capitalist, the Boomers got mad at me.

What do we do that is Free Market? Spirit should be going bankrupt like the banks in 2008. But no we use tax money to bail them out and give the C levels a nice cushion.

America means capitalism ha ha ha.

---

Prior to 2008, the country didn't do many bailouts of any kind. We did an S&L and Chrysler bailout in the 80s. The country grew much faster and raised prosperity of the average American faster when we left companies to be run by CEOs and if they failed, they failed. That is a lot closer to Capitalism that raised this country to be the envy of the world and it is the solution to a lot of economic malaise we have today but we are still trending the other way.

Let CEOs run the heart of the economy and not politicians like in Communist/socialist countries.

---

You may be right.

But today we do not live in a capitalist society like we claim. Even here many claim that and try to diss others by calling them "socialists". I've been called that many times and I am not insulted. Our own goal today is "let's not tax the billionaires" but they want Homeless Steve to be taxed as "how else will he have skin in the game?" Dude doesn't have a roof over his head and he cares about skin in the game?

100% capitalism does not have any empathy. 100% socialism is a big failure and 3rd world squalor. We need a mix in between. That is the reality. We cannot call ourselves developed or first world if we leave Uncle Jim and Aunt Martha out in the cold just because they got old.

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What is this?

First, who is saying not to tax billionaires? The top 1% already pays upwards of 40% of our yearly tax revenue. What is the number that would make you happy? 50%? 75%

I call that a skin the game. It's a reference to the fact that the bottom 40% pay nothing other than sales tax. Do you agree they should be paying something also?

And capitalism has as much empathy as any ecosystem. While not a perfect system, it's the best option we have seen that manages supply and demand. We don't need a "mix", we need to get rid of Crony-Capitalism, which we have now. We have a bloated government so powerful, yet so dependent on outside capital, that it can pick winners and losers.

Most of us would be fine to pay a little more in taxes if given evidence that our government would spend that money wisely. Every year we surpass the revenue numbers from the prior, and every year we run deficits. We don't have a revenue problem.

GAC06 said:

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Spirit filed for bankruptcy twice in less than a year.

Bummer, but bye bye.

JetBlue is on deck

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Not with the market share they just gained

itsyourboypookie said:

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GAC06 said:

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Spirit filed for bankruptcy twice in less than a year.

Bummer, but bye bye.

JetBlue is on deck

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Not with the market share they just gained

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Market share or gates? I know JetBlue did want to merge with Spirit but was denied approval but are their flying clientele really the same?

infinity ag said:

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Kansas Kid said:

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infinity ag said:

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aggiedata said:

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They will need another bail out in 12 months.

BREAKING: The Trump Administration is nearing a deal to "rescue" Spirit Airlines, per WSJ.

The deal involves a potential $500 million loan from the Trump Administration, receiving in return warrants to take a potential significant stake in Spirit.

This would add to the Trump… pic.twitter.com/DqHySohquy

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 22, 2026

---

ha ha.

When I said America was not and never was free market and capitalist, the Boomers got mad at me.

What do we do that is Free Market? Spirit should be going bankrupt like the banks in 2008. But no we use tax money to bail them out and give the C levels a nice cushion.

America means capitalism ha ha ha.

---

Prior to 2008, the country didn't do many bailouts of any kind. We did an S&L and Chrysler bailout in the 80s. The country grew much faster and raised prosperity of the average American faster when we left companies to be run by CEOs and if they failed, they failed. That is a lot closer to Capitalism that raised this country to be the envy of the world and it is the solution to a lot of economic malaise we have today but we are still trending the other way.

Let CEOs run the heart of the economy and not politicians like in Communist/socialist countries.

---

You may be right.

But today we do not live in a capitalist society like we claim. Even here many claim that and try to diss others by calling them "socialists". I've been called that many times and I am not insulted. Our own goal today is "let's not tax the billionaires" but they want Homeless Steve to be taxed as "how else will he have skin in the game?" Dude doesn't have a roof over his head and he cares about skin in the game?

100% capitalism does not have any empathy. 100% socialism is a big failure and 3rd world squalor. We need a mix in between. That is the reality. We cannot call ourselves developed or first world if we leave Uncle Jim and Aunt Martha out in the cold just because they got old.

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That's what we have today. Problem is we keep moving more towards socialism.

Well, the airline industry is definitely headed that way. In socialism, everyone has to eat the same sht sandwich, and almost all the airlines except for Emirates is a race the feces filling.

Burdizzo said:

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Well, the airline industry is definitely headed that way. In socialism, everyone has to eat the same sht sandwich, and almost all the airlines except for Emirates is a race the feces filling.

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We've certainly entered the revenue extraction phase for airlines and are way past the point of diminishing returns with democratizing the skies. Spirit failing was a step in the right direction in getting some measure of balance back but Trump is going to stop that because the CEO kissed his ass.

Agreed. If you want empathy, look to family, friends and faith not the government. The purer the form of capitalism in the world, the better off the poor are because a rising tide raises essentially all boats.

Are there cases that suck for select individuals? Sure but that is the case in every economic and political system. Setting up laws, regulations and government handouts to help those exceptions is a massive problem that robs people of self sufficiency, motivation and economic prosperity. It is a large part of why this country can't pay its bills without massive debt borrowings that are spiraling out of control.

Reagan had the best ever quote for politics, " nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government, and I'm here to help".

Our taxes should not be going to bail out any companies. Every time they do, it is another step in the direction of the government controlling production and promoting its interests against the interests of the citizens. In other words, socialism.

infinity ag said:

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100% capitalism does not have any empathy. 100% socialism is a big failure and 3rd world squalor. We need a mix in between. That is the reality.

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So you think that Socialism is better than Capitalism?

I'm trying to rack my brain for even one moderately logical reason to bail out a failing airline.

DJT and his admin luvs corporatism.

Burpelson said:

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DJT and his admin luvs corporatism.

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I think that you mean "DJT and his admin luvs socialism."

Quote:

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As of early 2026, Spirit Airlines holds approximately 3.4% to 4% of the domestic air travel market share in the United States. While a significant budget carrier, its share is notably smaller than the "Big Four" carriers (Delta, American, Southwest, and United), which dominate with a combined total of around 75% market share.

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If Spirit goes tits up, no one will really notice.

Pretty sad day when a President "has" to bail out a failing airline to pump market confidence........

Dungeon Crawler Carl said:

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As of early 2026, Spirit Airlines holds approximately 3.4% to 4% of the domestic air travel market share in the United States. While a significant budget carrier, its share is notably smaller than the "Big Four" carriers (Delta, American, Southwest, and United), which dominate with a combined total of around 75% market share.

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If Spirit goes tits up, no one will really notice.

Pretty sad day when a President "has" to bail out a failing airline to pump market confidence........

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WorldStar Hip Hop will notice. Where are they supposed to get content if Spirit goes away?

Im sure our current sorry ass culture will provide other avenues for inter webs content.....

Dungeon Crawler Carl said:

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Quote:

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As of early 2026, Spirit Airlines holds approximately 3.4% to 4% of the domestic air travel market share in the United States. While a significant budget carrier, its share is notably smaller than the "Big Four" carriers (Delta, American, Southwest, and United), which dominate with a combined total of around 75% market share.

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If Spirit goes tits up, no one will really notice.

Pretty sad day when a President "has" to bail out a failing airline to pump market confidence........

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Newsflash. Our government has a Two Trillion Annual Deficit to not only pump market confidence but to also keep our economy And the world economy from Crashing. It's working. SP 500 at an all time high.

Ticking Time Bomb…

eric76 said:

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Burpelson said:

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DJT and his admin luvs corporatism.

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I think that you mean "DJT and his admin luvs socialism."

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I would argue this is more mercantilism by Trump than either of these.

itsyourboypookie said:

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GAC06 said:

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Spirit filed for bankruptcy twice in less than a year.

Bummer, but bye bye.

JetBlue is on deck

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Not with the market share they just gained

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What did they gain?

Dungeon Crawler Carl said:

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Quote:

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As of early 2026, Spirit Airlines holds approximately 3.4% to 4% of the domestic air travel market share in the United States. While a significant budget carrier, its share is notably smaller than the "Big Four" carriers (Delta, American, Southwest, and United), which dominate with a combined total of around 75% market share.

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If Spirit goes tits up, no one will really notice.

Pretty sad day when a President "has" to bail out a failing airline to pump market confidence........

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I think this is 2 parts ego and 1 part market pumping. He wants to be able to tell people he saved an airline regardless of the logic behind doing so. It's the worst trait of his.

Quote:

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I think this is 2 parts ego and 1 part market pumping. He wants to be able to tell people he saved an airline regardless of the logic behind doing so. It's the worst trait of his.

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I am dismayed by Trump's saying he will do this. Agree that Spirit not only should be allowed but need to be liquidated. Airline industry has a long history of airlines failing, trying to recover and not being able to do so. (Braniff and Eastern come to mind.)

Those that have are due to mergers and acquisitions wherein the original airline is gone as a brand anyway.

My thought as to a possible saving grace here is that Trump has a plan for the end game. Maybe the potential for an acquisition are not quite there yet but will be in the future? I have never understood why but owning and airline seems to be a big deal, like owning a professional sports team. Might not make a crap ton of money, might make a crap ton of money. Crap shoot either way.

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I have never understood why but owning and airline seems to be a big deal, like owning a professional sports team.

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Can you give some examples using current airlines?

aggiehawg said:

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Quote:

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I think this is 2 parts ego and 1 part market pumping. He wants to be able to tell people he saved an airline regardless of the logic behind doing so. It's the worst trait of his.

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I am dismayed by Trump's saying he will do this. Agree that Spirit not only should be allowed but need to be liquidated. Airline industry has a long history of airlines failing, trying to recover and not being able to do so. (Braniff and Eastern come to mind.)

Those that have are due to mergers and acquisitions wherein the original airline is gone as a brand anyway.

My thought as to a possible saving grace here is that Trump has a plan for the end game. Maybe the potential for an acquisition are not quite there yet but will be in the future? I have never understood why but owning and airline seems to be a big deal, like owning a professional sports team. Might not make a crap ton of money, might make a crap ton of money. Crap shoot either way.

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It does have that cache but running an airline is one of the larger misadventures someone can take on. It's not for the feint of heart which could be partly what's playing into his ego here.

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It does have that cache but running an airline is one of the larger misadventures someone can take on. It's not for the feint of heart which could be partly what's playing into his ego here.

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Fully agree. The only other industries that have a higher percentage of failure with far less investment is starting a restaurant or a bricks and mortar niche retail store.

But Trump already had an airline. Of all people he should understand that. But maybe some hedgie or corporate raider will acquire it to break it up? (Gordon Gecko type or in the real world, KKR which has a new hedge fund.)

aggiehawg said:

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Quote:

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It does have that cache but running an airline is one of the larger misadventures someone can take on. It's not for the feint of heart which could be partly what's playing into his ego here.

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Fully agree. The only other industries that have a higher percentage of failure with far less investment is starting a restaurant or a bricks and mortar niche retail store.

But Trump already had an airline. Of all people he should understand that. But maybe some hedgie or corporate raider will acquire it to break it up? (Gordon Gecko type or in the real world, KKR which has a new hedge fund.)

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Ah, yes, I forgot about Trump's airline venture. Maybe he's a bit color blind and sees those big yellow planes as already gold and figures it's an asset already having the livery he likes?

That $500M cash stake looks to be roughly 1 year of cash burn for Spirit, BTW.

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That $500M cash stake looks to be roughly 1 year of cash burn for Spirit, BTW.

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Interesting. So roughly a one to one and a half year timeline. I'd say I think there is something in the works for that timeline.

BTW, this is Lutnick's dumbass idea which makes sense since he was architect of Intel deal.


From WSJ:

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In front of the president, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy each gave their perspectives on the deal being worked on to possibly give a financial lifeline to the struggling airline.

Lutnick argued to Trump that the president would see a political win by coming to Spirit's rescue months before the midterm elections and that the deal could save thousands of jobs, according to a senior administration official and other people familiar with the matter.

Duffy, on the other hand, told Trump that, in his view, making such an agreement with Spirit could have negative political consequences. He told the president he agreed it might save jobs, but he voiced skepticism about what the government is going to get out of possibly having a stake in the business.

Duffy made his views on a deal with Spirit known in a Reuters interview published on Tuesday. "What would someone buy?" Duffy said. "If no one else wants to buy them, why would we buy them?"

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Ugh. Well I don't like that. Done for politics? From the DOGE President, stop waste fraud and abuse?