Trump says a 'final proposal' to rescue Spirit Airlines is under consideration

Economy May 1, 2026 5:11 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday his administration is still weighing a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines, with talks ongoing and no final decision yet on whether to move forward with a potential bailout. Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Florida, Trump emphasized that a deal to rescue the financially strapped airline remained under review. The president did not provide details but said an announcement could come as soon as later Friday or Saturday. WATCH: Rising fuel costs put budget airlines under pressure as Spirit faces bankruptcy "We're looking at it. If we could do it, we'll do it. But only if it's a good deal," Trump said. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. The possibility of a bailout first emerged publicly last week, when Trump floated the idea of the U.S. government offering Spirit a financial lifeline to help keep the airline from going bust and out of business. The president suggested the government would be able to resell the airline known for its bright yellow planes and "no frills" service for a profit once