Marco Rubio spent over $1.2m of taxpayer money traveling to son’s football games

A Washington Post investigation says Marco Rubio spent more than $1.2m in taxpayer-funded aircraft costs on trips to Gainesville to watch University of Florida football, prompting ethics watchdogs to question whether the travel was necessary. Rubio, the US secretary of state, says he will continue trying to attend events important to him and his family.

The investigation counted at least 10 games attended over two seasons, including five this autumn, and 23 trips to Gainesville on military aircraft, 15 classified as personal. Rubio’s son Anthony, a walk-on running back, has played in four competitive games across four years; officials must reimburse the government an economy-fare equivalent, but Rubio and the State Department did not disclose how much he had repaid. An ethics adviser said the trips raised concerns about appearances and taxpayer spending, while noting they might not be technically improper.