Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg blew $80 BILLION on DEI grants while DELAYING critical air traffic control upgrades

There is no credible evidence that Pete Buttigieg’s Department of Transportation spent $80 billion specifically on DEI grants or that such spending caused delays in critical air traffic control upgrades.

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified July 21, 2025

Official DOT and FAA sources report infrastructure investments in the billions but not tens of billions exclusively for DEI grants; ongoing air traffic control modernization efforts continued during Buttigieg’s tenure. Allegations of $80 billion DEI spending come from partisan sources without verifiable budget documentation.

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The claim consists of two main components: first, that Pete Buttigieg’s DOT spent $80 billion on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants; second, that this spending delayed critical air traffic control system upgrades. Examination of available evidence shows that while some partisan and less authoritative sources allege large DEI spending and delayed upgrades,hannity.com news-pravda.com transportation.gov these claims lack support from official government data or credible independent analysis.

The total DOT budget is approximately $80 billion annually, making the assertion that the entire amount or a comparable sum was allocated solely to DEI grants implausible. Official DOT announcements highlight infrastructure grants in the range of $1 billion to $1. 8 billion for various projects, including air traffic control modernization.transportation.gov

Furthermore, the FAA has publicly reported ongoing investments in air traffic control upgrades during Buttigieg’s tenure. There is no direct evidence linking DEI initiatives to delays in critical infrastructure projects. The sources making the $80 billion DEI spending claim are partisan or low-reliability outlets with potential ideological bias and no transparent documentation of federal budget allocations.

Official government sources and FAA statements contradict the narrative of neglect or misallocation at this scale. Therefore, while some DEI funding exists within broader DOT programs, the scale and causal connection claimed are not supported by credible evidence.

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