Donald Trump’s administration has a luxury aircraft problem.
The president first raised concerns when he accepted a $400 million jet from the Qatari government in 2025.
He took his first flight on the renovated aircraft in July. His use of the plane spurred questions about national security and political alliances.
Then a $70 million Boeing 737 Max 8 contributed to former secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem’s March ouster.
The jet reportedly carries Melania Trump and other officials on their travels.
Critics accused Noem of using the plane for official and personal trips with her aide, Corey Lewandowski. Many people have speculated about a romantic relationship between them. The pair fueled adultery rumors when they rode bikes together this summer.
The former South Dakota governor filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, in September after 34 years of marriage.
The special government employee remains married to his wife, Alison Hardy Lewandowski, for over 20 years. Corey and Noem fueled infidelity rumors when they rode bikes together this summer after both losing their jobs/
Now, Noem’s successor at DHS, Markwayne Mullin, faces his own flight scandal.
His wife, Christie Mullin, is suing the Daily Mail over a May report alleging Markwayne was searching for a loophole that would allow her free travel.
The reported ploy would require the DHS chief to secure Christie a government role, thus giving her access to upscale travel accommodations.
Trump proved that she was in good standing with, at least, him in March during Markwayne’s Oval Office swearing-in ceremony.
The president flattered Christie, saying she “looks like she’s about 22 years old.”
Like Lewandowski, if hired by DHS, she would be recognized as a special government employee. Her estimated pay would range between $135,000 and $145,000.
The publication wrote he “is desperately trying to get his wife, Christie Mullin, hired onto DHS’s payroll.”
Daily Mail cited an unnamed source as saying Markwayne’s motivation was “so that he does not have to pay for her airline ticket when she flies.”
Christie’s legal team rebuffed the allegation in their filing last week, saying that she “has not been offered, has not sought, has not considered, and has not accepted any position at the Department of Homeland Security in any capacity.”
The document also mentions that the Mullins own two private aircraft.
Skeptics still struggle to believe the duo wasn’t masterminding a grift.
“Did he finally get her on the government payroll?” a Facebook user asked. Another said, “You can’t make this up, LMAO.”
A third user commented, “She sounds……awfully important…..maybe even more than Kristi Noem was.”
Then people began to draw a connection between Noem and the Mullins.
According to a detractor, “It really doesn’t matter that they have their own planes. Mullin could just be looking for a way to charge the taxpayers and save his own money (like Noem, Patel and all the other trump sycophants grifting off of America).”
A fourth person sarcastically quipped, “Poor thing. Noem had the same problem.”
“Oh the Audacity! How Embarrassing! What would Patel’s Girlfriend say? Or Noem’s Boy toy?” a fifth reaction read.
Mullin and Noem have been at odds over the DHS $464 million fleet of aircraft. They have both accused the other of responsibility for purchasing 10 aircraft.
After Trump demoted Noem from DHS secretary, he assigned her to the State Department as the envoy to the Shield of the Americas. She later became senior adviser to Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau.
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