Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, estimated to be worth $300 million, requested use of a government jet to whisk him and his third wife, Louise Linton, away to Europe this summer for their honeymoon, several people told ABC News on Wednesday.
A Treasury Department spokesman told ABC News that Mnuchin requested the jet because he's a member of the National Security Council and was very concerned about having access to secure communications. After Mnuchin's office put the request in writing, someone realized this was unnecessary, people with knowledge of the situation said, but it still triggered an "inquiry" by the Treasury Department's Office of Inspector General. An Air Force spokesman told ABC News it could cost about $25,000 an hour to operate a U.S. Air Force jet.
The traveling Mnuchins were scrutinized for their trip last month to Kentucky, which just so happened to coincide with the solar eclipse. Mnuchin's office said the couple was there solely for meetings on tax reform, and they will reimburse the government for Linton's travel, but that jaunt is also under review by the inspector general. This is the same outing where Linton posted a photo on Instagram of her glamorously stepping off of a government plane, hashtagging the various designers who outfitted her (#hermes #valentino). When a commenter called her out, Linton gave a response dripping in condescension: "Aw!! Did you think this was a personal trip?! Adorable! Did you think the US govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?!? Lololol." Well, now that you mention it …
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
5 health-conscious cartoons about anti-vaccine rhetoricCartoons Artists take on RFK Jr's militant methods, the viral lottery, and more
-
September 13 editorial cartoonsCartoons Saturday's political cartoons include court-approved racial profiling and America's moral compass
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashionIn the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to TrumpSpeed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raidsSpeed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raidSpeed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearingSpeed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mountSpeed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own listspeed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battleSpeed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants
