A political adviser who has worked closely with President Donald Trump has denied receiving special assistance after chartering a flight out of the Middle East amid airstrikes and airspace closures. Alex Bruesewitz, 28, was among thousands of American citizens stranded when the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, prompting major airlines to cancel services.
Bruesewitz credited White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, Qatari and Saudi officials, Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna, and Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle with helping him and seven other Americans reach Greece en route to the US. He insisted, however, that he personally chartered and paid for the private jet.
“There was no ‘special assistance’ provided by the Trump administration... I personally chartered the flight and orchestrated the plan,” Bruesewitz told Breitbart. The group included TikToker Sarah Gaither and lobbyist Jay Footlik, a former Clinton administration aide.
The State Department later organised free military aircraft and charter flights from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan for citizens wanting to leave. When asked about the lack of preparation, Trump said: “It happened all very quickly.”
Bruesewitz thanked Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for his assistance and praised the Patriot missile interceptor system. Luna encouraged other stranded Americans to contact her office for help.
The State Department has asked citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Program (STEP) and provided emergency contact numbers for those overseas.
