Reports indicate that during his presidency, Donald Trump’s trips to his private properties—particularly Mar-a-Lago, Bedminster, and Trump Tower—cost U.S. taxpayers tens of millions of dollars due to security, transportation, and staffing expenses.
Key Figures on Trump’s Travel Costs
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Total Estimated Cost: Over $142 million for Trump family travel (2017–2021), per Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).
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Mar-a-Lago Trips: At least $60 million for frequent Florida visits, including golf outings and extended stays.
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Bedminster Golf Club: Over $20 million for summer trips to his New Jersey property.
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Air Force One & Security: Each round-trip to Mar-a-Lago cost $3.4 million+ in Air Force One expenses alone (HuffPost).
Trump’s Recent Attack on Vacation Days
Despite these figures, Trump has repeatedly criticized Biden for taking vacations, calling him “Sleepy Joe” and claiming he spends too much time in Delaware. Fact-checkers note:
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Biden’s travel costs are significantly lower, as he frequents his private Delaware home (no resort fees) and doesn’t use military planes for personal trips.
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Trump’s properties profited from his stays, as Secret Service and staff were required to pay for rooms/meals at Trump-owned venues.
Why It Matters
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Taxpayer Burden: Unlike past presidents, Trump’s frequent visits to his own commercial properties raised ethics concerns.
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Hypocrisy Claims: Critics highlight the contrast between his spending and his attacks on Biden’s downtime.
Bottom Line: While all presidents travel, Trump’s blend of political rallies, leisure, and business at his properties made his trips uniquely costly.
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