Baltimore Mayor Defends $163,495 Taxpayer-Funded SUV

Mayor Brandon Scott deflects questions about the high cost of his government vehicle

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is facing scrutiny over the $163,495 price tag of the 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer he uses as his government-issued vehicle. When questioned about the high cost, which is significantly more than other government vehicles in the state, Scott deflected the questions and accused the reporter of having a "racist slant."

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about government spending and accountability, as well as the tendency of some politicians to avoid responsibility by resorting to accusations of bias when faced with tough questions from the media.

The details

Records show that Mayor Scott's Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the most expensive government-issued vehicle assigned to any current mayor, governor, county executive, or county commissioner/county council in the state of Maryland. The $163,495 price tag is nearly twice as much as the next most expensive executive vehicle and more than triple the cost of cars used by other county leaders.

  • The allegations about Mayor Scott's expensive SUV surfaced in February 2026.

The players

Brandon Scott

The 41-year-old Democratic mayor of Baltimore who is facing scrutiny over the high cost of his taxpayer-funded government vehicle.

WBFF-TV

The local Fox affiliate in Baltimore that obtained records and reported on the high cost of Mayor Scott's government-issued SUV.

Richard Worley

The Baltimore Police Commissioner who is assigned a $108,242 SUV, which includes about $28,393 worth of security upgrades.

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What they’re saying

“Just because you didn't get the answer you wanted — and your racist slant — is one thing.”

— Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore (WBFF-TV)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from elected officials when it comes to government spending. Rather than deflecting and making accusations, Mayor Scott should provide a clear justification for the high cost of his taxpayer-funded vehicle to the residents of Baltimore.