The staggering cost of Donald Trump’s vacations to US taxpayers has come to light following his criticism of non-working holidays in a recent outburst.
It is well-known that the President enjoys opulent golf course getaways, frequently visiting Mar-a-Lago on weekends and having spent considerable time away during his second term.
Back in March, it was disclosed that President Trump had visited his Florida waterfront mansion for the sixth time since January – and such visits come with a hefty price tag.
Critics argue that these trips are a significant use of resources, including flights on Air Force One, additional cargo jets and motorcades, as well as the increased demands placed on the Secret Service and local Palm Beach authorities for security purposes.
Local law enforcement has been incurring costs for overtime pay, deploying helicopters, and increasing personnel on the ground to ensure the safety of the president, his family, and his entourage during these outings.
Recent revelations indicate that Trump’s leisure excursions have cost taxpayers a substantial sum, with figures reaching $26 million by late March and approaching $30 million by early April, according to Marca.
The expenses for Air Force One are significant. The fueling, staffing, and flights are reported to cost nearly $200,000, based on a 2022 Air Force assessment. The two-hour flight from Washington DC to Palm Beach International is said to cost taxpayers about a million dollars each time in travel alone.
These substantial expenses emerge as the president, somewhat paradoxically, argues that businesses closing for vacations are a financial drain on the nation.
He stated: “Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed.
“The workers don’t want it either! Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
However, many criticize the president for being a significant burden on the US economy himself.
“If we are gonna talk about efficiency… let’s talk about the fact that, as of March 30, Trump’s golfing has cost us approximately $26 million,” noted Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett during a House subcommittee hearing in April. “The last time I checked, we’re not getting anything in return for that.”
She further pointed out that a luxury golfing weekend can total around $3.4 million, with one particular trip reaching $4.2 million due to additional helicopter transport from Miami International.
During Trump’s first term, it was estimated that his Mar-a-Lago trips averaged $13.6 million per weekend, according to the Government Accountability Office, excluding the $240,000 in overtime pay for Palm Beach County officers.
Palm Beach County Sheriff, Ric Bradshaw, informed county commissioners in February about the substantial nature of the task, stating: “They request it, and then we provide it. It’s expensive, but we don’t really have a choice.”
After securing an ‘urgent request’ for $45 million last November to cover additional security for Trump, Bradshaw anticipated that costs would continue to escalate.
“We’ve already heard some information where he may be spending more time here than in Washington,” the sheriff mentioned at the time. “Definitely you’re going to see him bringing in leaders from the world. That is a significant shift in the cost for security.”