The Cost of Golf for US Presidents: How Trump's Lavish Habits Compare
Kenneth Harris has taken 166 weeks of vacation since becoming the US Vice President, with nearly 80 weeks away from performing his duties. In comparison, former President Donald Trump has spent a significant amount of public funds on his golfing habits, a practice that has drawn substantial scrutiny and criticism. This article examines the financial implications and compares the spending on golf for various US presidents, with a particular focus on Trump's golf outings.
Trump's Golf Outings and Public Spending
The Trump Administration has spent approximately 150 million dollars on the president's golfing pursuits since 2017. This figure includes the cost of security provided by the Secret Service, as well as the expenses related to the use of Air Force One and other transportation. Notably, when Trump visited his golf clubs, the Secret Service had to provide overnight accommodation, which the government charged at a rate of 850 dollars per night per room. This practice has faced significant criticism, as it stands in stark contrast to the more casual approach taken by other presidents, who typically played golf at local courses and stayed away for only half a day.
Breaking Down the Numbers
A HuffPost analysis detailed the extent of public spending on Trump's golfing trips. The report noted that there were between 141 and 340 million dollars in total expenses, primarily going into Trump's pocket, with the cost of flights being the sole exception. Additionally, GAO (Government Accountability Office) reported on the cost of Trump’s trips to Mar-a-Lago, further enhancing the transparency and detail surrounding this issue.
Public Spending on Presidential Discretion
Not all of the costs related to Trump's golf trips were lined up for his potential loss. Beyond the golf outings, there were additional expenditures, including the salaries and expenses of Air Force One pilots and staff, White House staff, and even the use of secret service rooms and the provision of food, alcohol, internet, and other amenities. However, there was a notable resistance to providing even basic conveniences such as food, housing, and medical care during a pandemic. Critics cited this as an example of the GOP's insistence on fiscal responsibility to the detriment of basic necessities for government officials.
The total spent on Trump's golf outings has been estimated to be over 100 million dollars, described by many as chump change for him. However, this figure does not account for additional outlays, such as the 6 months of taxpayer money spent on Melania Trump's stay in New York to renegotiate her prenup, and the substantial costs of taking his entire family, including his not invited family members, on a trip to the UK.
In total, these expenses have amounted to around 304 million dollars, a figure that is even more staggering when considering that the average presidential salary is not taken by Trump and his supporters often boast about.
Comparing Presidential Golf Spending
Former President Barack Obama, for instance, predominantly used military bases near Washington D.C. for his golfing outings, so his trips were much less costly. In contrast, Trump's insistence on playing at his own for-profit resorts has made these outings extremely expensive for American taxpayers.
Each trip to Mar-a-Lago alone costs around 3.4 million dollars because of the need to transport Trump and his staff, vehicles for his motorcade, and the expenses incurred by the Coast Guard. Trump has made 23 trips to his New Jersey course, each costing around 1.1 million dollars. Visits to other locations such as California, Florida, Scotland, and Ireland were similarly expensive.
A Comparison of Presidential Purse Strings
Considering all these factors, it is clear that the costs associated with playing golf have been a significant driver of public spending during Trump's presidency. The total spent, 151.5 million dollars, is equivalent to 379 years of a presidential salary of 400,000 dollars. This comparison underscores the stark contrast between the past and present administrations in terms of the use of public funds for personal leisure.