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Trump flirts with government stakes in US firms but passes on Spirit Airlines
International
Published on 2 May 2026
Why Spirit Airlines became the surprising exception
President Trump has signaled interest in the government taking over or holding stakes in some US companies, framing it as a financial win that can strengthen the economy and enhance national economic security. The thinking also aims to improve competitiveness against China—an approach that contrasts with traditional Republican skepticism toward government ownership. Yet the proposal did not translate to Spirit Airlines.
- Trump says government stakes could deliver economic gains
- He links the idea to security and China competition
- The approach differs from usual Republican doctrine
- Spirit Airlines was a notable deal avoided
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times