Treasury secy in turbulence over honeymoon jet
Washington, Sept. 14: US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin was back in an awkward spotlight on Thursday following reports he asked to use a military jet this summer for his European honeymoon.
The news was only the latest embarrassment for the notably wealthy treasury secretary, a former investor and Hollywood mogul.
His actress wife Louise Linton recently apologised for lashing out on social media at a woman who criticised her for advertising the high fashion brands she was wearing during an official visit to Kentucky with Mr Mnuchin.
ABC News reported on Wednesday that Mr Mnuchin requested the use of a US Air Force jet, which costs $25,000 an hour to operate, to take the newlywed couple to Scotland, France and Italy following their summer wedding, which President Donald Trump attended.
Mr Mnuchin, 54, ultimately did not use the jet. A treasury department spokesperson acknowledged Mr Mnuchin requested the military plane, saying that as treasury secretary and a member of the national security council he needs access to secure communications.
The official said treasury considers “a wide range of options to ensure he has these capabilities during his travel, including the possible use of military aircraft.”
However, “treasury withdrew its request after a secure communications option was identified during the secretary’s extended travel.”
Following a trip last month to Kentucky, when the couple visited the US gold reserve at Fort Knox, Linton, 36, posted a photo of herself descending from an government plane on the social media network Instagram, tagging the brands of designer clothing and accessories she wore.