BALTIMORE, Md. – Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott lashed out at a reporter this week, calling him “racist” after being pressed on why taxpayers spent $163,495 on his new 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer—the most expensive government-issued vehicle in Maryland.
The heated exchange, caught on camera during a press briefing, began when a journalist questioned why the mayor’s new SUV cost double that of the governor’s vehicle. Scott quickly interrupted, accusing the station of bias. “Okay, Kester, we’ll just stop you right there,” Scott said. “We get it. We understand that your station has this severe right-wing effort underway. We get that. But you guys are dragging this thing out and also not including all the facts.”
When the reporter pointed out that Governor Wes Moore’s vehicle cost roughly $78,000 to $80,000, Scott grew more combative.
“You’ve asked the same idiotic question now for three months,” the mayor said. “When you look at a base price for SUVs now… you’re talking about a police vehicle with police equipment on it added on top of that. It’s very simple. These are not astronomical costs. You guys, in your station in particular, would never ask the President of the United States how much ‘The Beast’ costs. You wouldn’t do that. You would never do that. This is ridiculous. Let it go. Next question.”
When the reporter persisted, Scott fired back: “Just because you didn’t get the answer that you wanted in your racist slant, that’s one thing.”
The mayor’s comments came amid growing public outrage over records showing the city paid $98,716 for the base model Grand Wagoneer and another $64,779 for security modifications, including police lights, sirens, and encrypted communication systems. The total price tag—$163,495—makes it the costliest government-assigned vehicle in Maryland, exceeding the governor’s SUV by more than $80,000 and tripling what some county executives drive.
Scott defended the expense as a matter of safety and necessity. “This is a police vehicle,” he said, adding that inflation and equipment costs have pushed prices higher. “A vehicle that was purchased in 2023 is not the same price as 2025. You have to understand that reality.”
Critics, however, have pointed out that the purchase comes as Baltimore faces an $85 million budget shortfall, with city officials increasing fees and fines to close the gap.
City procurement documents also show Scott has access to a second taxpayer-funded SUV—a 2023 Ford Expedition costing $99,242—used as a backup vehicle.
- Baltimore mayor blasts reporter as “racist” after SUV question
- City spent $163,495 on Jeep Grand Wagoneer, nearly twice governor’s car
- Scott defends cost as necessary for security amid city budget shortfall
