Baltimore’s $163K SUV: Scandalous Spending?
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott spent $163,495 in taxpayer dollars on a luxury SUV—nearly double what Maryland’s governor pays for his vehicle—while city residents struggle to afford homes costing less than his car.
Story Snapshot
- Mayor Scott’s 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the most expensive executive vehicle in Maryland, costing taxpayers $163,495
- The purchase included $98,716 for the base vehicle plus $64,779 in custom upgrades and security features
- Scott deflected criticism by characterizing investigative reporting as “a severe right-wing effort” rather than addressing fiscal concerns
- The SUV costs nearly twice as much as Governor Wes Moore’s vehicle and rivals home prices in struggling Baltimore neighborhoods
Taxpayer-Funded Luxury Eclipses State Executive Spending
Mayor Brandon Scott’s office purchased a 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer for $163,495 using Baltimore taxpayer funds, establishing a new benchmark for executive vehicle costs in Maryland. The base vehicle carried a price tag of $98,716, with an additional $64,779 spent on custom upgrades and security features. Only two executive vehicles in Maryland exceed $100,000, and both belong to Baltimore City officials. Scott’s SUV costs nearly double the next-most-expensive executive vehicles statewide and more than three times what some county leaders spend on their official transportation.
Stark Contrast With Other Maryland Officials’ Vehicle Costs
Governor Wes Moore’s 2025 Chevrolet Suburban cost taxpayers $82,141, roughly half the price of Scott’s luxury SUV, despite Moore overseeing 12,400 square miles compared to Baltimore’s 92 square miles. Moore’s vehicle included $10,141 in custom security features, far less than Scott’s upgrades. Former Republican Governor Larry Hogan used an SUV costing approximately $70,000 during his eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023. Most Maryland officials use vehicles ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 without requiring thousands in additional custom features, raising fundamental questions about fiscal responsibility and executive privilege.
Mayor Deflects Accountability With Political Attacks
Scott refused to address substantive questions about his vehicle’s cost, instead attacking Spotlight on Maryland’s investigative journalism as “a severe right-wing effort underway.” When reporters compared his spending to other officials, Scott claimed inflation justified the difference, stating “A vehicle purchased in 2023 is not the same price as 2025.” However, when Spotlight on Maryland explained their analysis included older SUVs and accounted for inflation, Scott cut off the reporter. He also compared his situation to the president’s armored vehicle, “The Beast,” and questioned why the media scrutinized his purchase while other officials also received government vehicles.
Wasteful Spending Exposes Misplaced Priorities
Baltimore residents face unstable housing, limited access to basic services, rising costs, and crumbling infrastructure while their mayor rides in luxury that rivals the price of homes in struggling neighborhoods. The $163,495 SUV cost exceeds home values in multiple Baltimore communities, symbolizing the growing disconnect between City Hall’s spending decisions and residents’ daily struggles. Scott’s office failed to respond when asked how he justifies this expense while constituents report unmet basic needs. His dismissive statement that “these are not astronomical costs” demonstrates a troubling detachment from the financial realities facing hardworking Baltimore families.
Investigative Journalism Exposes Government Excess
Spotlight on Maryland obtained public records from 13 counties and state agencies through meticulous investigation, conducting comparative analysis across 23 jurisdictions to document Scott’s spending excess. The investigation revealed that most Maryland officials manage their security and official travel needs with vehicles costing 50-70% less than Scott’s luxury SUV, without compromising safety or effectiveness. This reporting exemplifies the critical role of local journalism in holding the government accountable, especially when elected officials refuse to answer direct questions about their use of taxpayer funds. The investigation’s methodology and documentation stand as factual evidence against Scott’s attempts to dismiss legitimate oversight as political persecution.
Sources:
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s $163K SUV Purchase – Motor Biscuit
Mayor’s $163K SUV Sparks Outrage in Neighborhoods Where Homes Cost Less – Fox Baltimore
Baltimore Mayor’s SUV Tops Cost of All Maryland Executive Vehicles – Fox Baltimore