Nina Caldwell
While it is unclear exactly how much US taxpayers have spent on former President Donald Trump's golf trips, it is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars. Trump's frequent visits to his own golf resorts and properties, such as Mar-a-Lago in Florida, have raised concerns about the potential conflict of interest and self-enrichment. Critics argue that Trump's golf outings, which often require Air Force One and extensive security arrangements, divert his focus from official duties to promoting his businesses. Reports suggest that Trump's properties have overcharged the Secret Service for accommodations, and the cost of his trips has become a contentious issue, with some calling for reimbursement to taxpayers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who pays for President Trump's golf trips? | US taxpayers |
| How much have the trips cost taxpayers? | $13.6 million (as of 2019) and likely more than $23 million as of 2025 |
| How often does he play golf? | 20 days of golf since his second inauguration on January 20, 2025, totaling 27% of his second term |
| How does this compare to Obama? | Trump has played at least 88 rounds of golf since becoming President, likely 139 rounds, compared to Obama's 76 outings over the same time frame |
| What are the costs for? | Flying Air Force One, a separate cargo plane carrying the presidential motorcade, and other security arrangements |
| How much does the Secret Service pay for Trump's properties? | $1,815 a room per night, 300% beyond authorized government hotel rates |
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What You'll Learn
Taxpayers fund Trump's golf trips
Taxpayers have funded Donald Trump's golf trips, with reports suggesting that these excursions have cost the public tens of millions of dollars. Trump's frequent visits to his golf clubs have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and self-enrichment.
During his presidency, Trump has made numerous trips to his golf resorts, including Mar-a-Lago in Florida, which he dubbed his ""winter White House." These trips have incurred significant costs for the US government, with expenses including transportation, security, and accommodations for the President and his entourage.
One notable example of taxpayer-funded golf trips was Trump's 2018 stopover at his Trump Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. This two-day trip cost American taxpayers more than $1 million, with additional spending by the State Department bringing the total cost to over $1.1 million.
Trump's golf outings have also been a source of controversy due to his criticism of former President Barack Obama's golf habits while in office. Despite pledging to be too busy to play golf as president, Trump has reportedly played at least 88 rounds of golf and visited golf courses over 193 days since taking office.
The costs of Trump's golf trips extend beyond the direct expenses incurred by the government. There are also indirect costs associated with disruptions to local communities, such as road closures and inconveniences endured by residents in Palm Beach County, Florida. Furthermore, there are concerns about potential overcharging by Trump's businesses for accommodations and services provided to the Secret Service and other government agencies.
The total financial impact of Trump's golf trips on taxpayers is challenging to determine precisely, but various estimates and reports indicate a substantial burden on the public.
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Trump's businesses and golf courses
During his presidency, Donald Trump's frequent trips to his golf clubs and resorts raised ethical concerns. Trump's businesses and golf courses, including the Trump Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, Mar-a-Lago in Florida, and the Trump International Golf Club, became venues for meetings with foreign leaders and business executives. Trump's refusal to divest from his business interests during his presidency resulted in conflicts of interest and potential corruption.
Trump's frequent golf outings and vacations incurred significant costs, often borne by American taxpayers. A 2019 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimated that four trips to his Palm Beach resort during his first term cost a total of $13.6 million, with each visit costing about $3.4 million. Trump's properties have also been accused of overcharging the Secret Service and other government agencies, with room rates exceeding authorized government rates.
The Trump Organization's golf courses and resorts have been a significant focus of their business. In 2014, the Professional Golfers' Association of America partnered with the Trump Organization, selecting Trump golf courses for the 2017 Senior PGA Championship and the 2022 PGA Championship. Trump's golf courses in Florida have been particularly profitable, with margins over 30% from 2021 to 2023.
However, there have been legal challenges regarding Trump's golf businesses. In 2021, New York City terminated contracts with the Trump Organization due to his role in the Capitol insurrection, and the company faced lawsuits alleging violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause. Despite these controversies, Trump's golf ventures have been a notable aspect of his business empire, attracting customers and generating revenue.
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Trump's refusal to divest from his businesses
While Donald Trump was President of the United States, he refused to divest from his businesses. This decision broke with a tradition followed by all other modern presidents. Trump's refusal to divest from his business interests created a web of conflicts and potential corruption.
In 2017, ethics experts and government officials criticised Trump for not divesting from his real estate and hotel company. Norman Eisen, a former White House ethics adviser, warned that Trump's "ill-advised course will precipitate scandal and corruption". Walter Shaub, the director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, recommended that Trump divest his conflicting assets" to avoid conflicts.
Despite the criticism, Trump refused to give up ownership of his business empire. In 2024, when directly asked if he would pledge to divest from his companies if he won a second term, Trump indicated that he planned to retain his stake in his businesses. Trump defended the millions of dollars his hotels and properties made from foreign governments while he was president.
Trump's refusal to divest had significant implications. His frequent trips to his golf clubs and resorts, such as Mar-a-Lago, sent a message to foreign leaders, business executives, and lobbyists that his properties were open for business. During his first term, Trump's businesses received millions of dollars from foreign governments and lobbyists, raising concerns about potential violations of the U.S. Constitution's Emoluments Clause.
Trump's golf trips also resulted in significant costs to taxpayers. A 2019 report by the Government Accountability Office found that Trump's four trips to his Palm Beach resort during his first term cost a total of $13.6 million. Trump's properties were also accused of overcharging the Secret Service by up to 300% beyond authorised government hotel rates.
In summary, Trump's refusal to divest from his businesses led to ethical concerns, potential conflicts of interest, and substantial costs to taxpayers. It also raised questions about the influence of money on politics and the potential for corruption during his presidency.
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Trump's Secret Service expenses
During his presidency, Donald Trump spent a significant amount of time playing golf, with estimates suggesting he spent nearly a quarter of his presidency at a golf course. Notably, Trump frequently visited his own golf courses and clubs, such as Mar-a-Lago, which he dubbed his "winter White House".
Trump's frequent golf outings and visits to his own properties have raised concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers. Reports indicate that Trump's trips to his golf clubs and resorts have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. One notable example is a trip to his Trump Turnberry golf resort in Scotland in 2018, which cost taxpayers over $1 million.
The issue of Trump's Secret Service expenses has also come under scrutiny. It has been reported that the Secret Service spent nearly $2 million at Trump properties. Documents revealed instances where the Secret Service was charged room rates exceeding government-approved rates, with some rooms costing more than $1,000 per night. Trump's private company arranged for these "exorbitant" rates, which may have resulted in a taxpayer-funded windfall for his businesses.
Additionally, there are concerns about the costs of Secret Service protection for Trump's adult children and former staff members after he left office. The six months of extended protection for his four adult children and certain staffers cost taxpayers approximately $1.7 million. This protection was granted despite the children being adults with no official role in government and having sufficient wealth to fund private security.
In summary, Trump's frequent golf outings and visits to his own properties have resulted in significant Secret Service expenses and financial burdens on taxpayers. The high costs of Secret Service protection for Trump and his family, along with the "exorbitant" rates charged by Trump's private company, have drawn criticism and raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.
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Trump's golf trips compared to Obama's
While running for president, Donald Trump frequently criticised Barack Obama for golfing while in office. In 2016, he tweeted:
> While our wonderful president was out playing golf all day, the TSA is falling apart, just like our government! Airports a total disaster!
Trump also said that, if he were in the White House, he would be too busy to play golf. However, Trump's golf trips have cost US taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. A 2019 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) calculated that federal agencies spent an average of $13.6 million on each of four trips to Mar-a-Lago that it audited during his first term in office, with some of this money going directly to Trump. Trump's trips to his golf courses are very expensive and much more than Obama's, as they frequently require Air Force One and all the accompanying security arrangements.
Trump has played at least 88 rounds of golf since he became president, compared to Obama's 76 outings over the same time frame. Trump's golf trips have almost exclusively been to his properties, where he has been accused of overcharging the Secret Service by as much as 300% beyond authorised government hotel rates.
In total, Trump's golf trips during his first two and a half years in office cost $102 million in security and travel expenses, which is $12.7 million less than what Obama and his family spent on travel during his eight years in office.
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Frequently asked questions
The American taxpayer.
It's hard to say exactly, but it's estimated to be in the tens of millions. One report put the cost of four trips to his Palm Beach resort at $13.6 million, or $3.4 million per trip.
Trump has been accused of enriching himself by overcharging the Secret Service to stay at his properties. A report found that the Trump Organization charged the Secret Service as much as $1,815 a night to stay at the Trump International hotel in Washington, DC.
Critics have called out the Trump administration for hypocrisy when it comes to government spending. Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett said, "Trump’s golfing has cost us approximately $26 million... The last time I checked, we’re not getting anything in return for that."
Trump's golf trips are much more expensive than Obama's as they usually require the use of Air Force One and all the accompanying security arrangements.
