Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) took to X on Thursday to remind summer travelers that President Donald Trump weakened airline passenger protections. But her warning mixed up two separate Department of Transportation rules.

"Reminder as you're traveling this summer: Trump reversed a rule that required airlines to automatically refund you with CASH—not vouchers, not points—for canceled or severely delayed flights," Warren wrote. She added that United Airlines Holdings Inc. (UAL) and Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) "each gave $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund." Reuters reported in January 2025 that United donated $1 million and that Delta was among other major companies giving the same amount.

Here's the thing: Warren's post captured a real Trump administration rollback, but not the one she described. The Biden-era automatic refund rule, finalized by DOT in April 2024, remains in effect. Under DOT guidance, passengers are entitled to a cash refund when an airline cancels or significantly delays a flight and they choose not to travel or accept a voucher.

The rule the Trump administration actually withdrew was a separate Biden-era proposal that would have required airlines to pay additional cash compensation for carrier-caused delays and cancellations. That proposal sought payments of $200 to $775 for disruptions of three hours or more, plus possible coverage for meals, hotels and rebooking. In a Federal Register notice, DOT said it withdrew the proposal to reduce "unnecessary regulatory burdens," arguing that costly new mandates could drive up consumer ticket prices. Airlines had opposed Europe-style compensation rules.

MarketDash reached out to United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and the White House for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Warren has repeatedly made air travel part of her broader economic criticism of Trump, including attacks on a proposed United-American Airlines "mega-merger," her questions about a possible Spirit Airlines bailout, and her claim that Trump's Iran war helped push up fuel prices before Spirit's collapse.

That Spirit fight cut both ways. Trump allies and some Warren critics argued that her opposition to JetBlue Airways Corp.'s (JBLU) 2022 plan to acquire Spirit left the budget carrier weaker. Warren countered that a federal judge, not politicians, blocked the deal and said Spirit's collapse reflected debt, fuel costs and weak management.

So, if you're flying this summer, rest assured: cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights are still the law. Just don't expect extra compensation for your troubles—at least not yet.