Trevor Ng
President Barack Obama's golf trips have been a topic of interest for many, with some questioning the cost of these excursions to taxpayers. Obama faced criticism from then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 election for his golfing habits, with Trump claiming he would be too busy as president to play golf. However, Trump's own golf trips have far exceeded Obama's in terms of frequency and cost. While Obama's golf outings incurred significant costs, estimated at around $3 million for certain trips, Trump's trips are estimated to cost taxpayers over $340 million, with each visit to his Mar-a-Lago resort costing about $1 million in travel expenses alone. This has led to concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers and the disruption caused to local communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of two golf outings in 2014 | $2.9 million |
| Cost of two golf outings in 2014 as per Judicial Watch | $2,952,278 for flight expenses alone |
| Cost of flights for the February 2014 trip to Palm Springs, California | $2,066,594.60 |
| Cost of flights for the March 2014 trip to Key Largo, Florida | $885,683.40 |
| Total cost of golf trips as per GAO, HuffPost, Politico and the Washington Post | $105-$108 million |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Obama's golf trips cost $3 million
According to documents obtained by Judicial Watch, President Obama's two golf excursions in 2014 cost taxpayers over $3 million. The trips were to Palm Springs, California, and Key Largo, Florida, and came after a New Year's vacation to Hawaii, where he also played golf. The flights to and from Palm Springs for the February 17-20 trip totalled 9.8 hours at $210,877 per hour, amounting to $2,066,594.60. The flights to and from Key Largo for the March 7-9 trip totalled 4.2 hours at the same hourly rate, costing $885,683.40. These figures do not include the cargo plane that accompanies the president, logistical costs, or payments for staff accommodations.
Obama often combined golf with "official" events, such as meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in California. However, critics argue that the frequency and luxury of these trips, especially back-to-back vacations, set a tone of indulgence while the country was suffering. The Obama-Biden vacation tab for that year reached over $40 million, with $2.9 million attributed to these two golf outings.
In comparison, President Trump's golf trips have been more frequent and costly. While campaigning, Trump criticised Obama for playing golf, promising to stay in the White House and work. However, Trump's trips to his golf properties have required Air Force One and extensive security arrangements. By 2019, his golf trips were estimated to have cost taxpayers between $105 million and $108 million. Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago, his "winter White House," have also disrupted local communities, requiring additional county resources for road closures, law enforcement, and security.
While the exact breakdown of costs for Obama's golf trips is not available, the estimated $3 million price tag for the 2014 excursions highlights the significant expenses incurred during presidential vacations. These costs, often covered by taxpayers, have sparked discussions about the appropriate use of presidential perks and the impact on the public.
Golfer Murray's Death: Suicide or Unfortunate Accident?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trump criticised Obama's golf trips
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump frequently criticized Barack Obama for his golfing trips, stating that he would be too busy to play golf if he were in office. In a 2016 rally, Trump said, "I love golf, but if I were in the White House, I don't think I'd ever see Turnberry again. I don't think I'd ever see Doral again... I just want to stay in the White House and work my ass off." Trump also reportedly begged Obama to play golf with him at his own courses during Jimmy Carter's funeral, attempting to entice him with descriptions of his courses worldwide.
However, Trump's own golf trips have been found to be significantly more costly to taxpayers than Obama's. While Obama's golfing trips were mostly local and did not require plane travel, Trump's trips to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in security costs, flight restrictions, and disruptions for local residents. Trump's frequent use of Air Force One and the accompanying security arrangements have resulted in a much higher price tag for his golf outings.
A 2019 Government Accountability Office report calculated that federal agencies spent an average of $13.6 million on each of four Trump trips to Mar-a-Lago during his first term, with some of that money going directly into Trump's pocket. By comparison, Trump's golf trips have cost taxpayers at least $105 million, and that number is expected to rise if he continues to visit his golf properties at the current pace.
Trump's criticism of Obama's golfing habits and his own extravagant golf outings have not gone unnoticed. Obama himself has responded by mocking Trump over the size of his crowds and trolling him for making America's birthday about himself. Obama has also expressed disbelief at the Republican Party's silence over Trump's behaviour, stating that they would not have tolerated such actions during his presidency.
Donabate Golf: A Beginner's Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Obama's trips were local
While President Obama was criticised by his successor for the frequency of his golf outings, his trips were mostly local and did not require plane travel. In fact, Obama did not visit a golf course outside of the DC area until seven months after his inauguration.
Obama's two golf excursions to Palm Springs, California, and Key Largo, Florida, cost taxpayers upwards of $3 million. The flights to and from Palm Springs for the February 2014 trip totalled 9.8 hours at $210,877 an hour, which comes to a total of $2,066,594.60 in flight expenses. The flights to and from Key Largo for the March 2014 trip totalled 4.2 hours at the same hourly rate, which comes to a total of $885,683.40 for flight expenses. These figures do not include the price tag for the cargo plane that accompanies the president everywhere, nor do they include logistical costs such as payments for hotel rooms for staff and the Secret Service.
The travel costs for vacations taken by the first family and the Bidens, including two golf outings by Obama, reached over $40 million. Obama's trips to California and Florida in 2014 cost $2,952,278 for flight expenses alone. These figures were obtained by Judicial Watch, a taxpayer watchdog group, through Freedom of Information Act requests.
While Obama's golf trips were less frequent than those of his successor, they still incurred significant costs, with the estimated total cost of his golf outings reaching several million dollars.
Golf's Grandest Stage: May's Major Tournament
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trump's trips cost taxpayers $105 million
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump criticized Barack Obama for golfing while in office, stating that he would be too busy to play golf if he were in the White House. However, Trump's golf trips have become a significant expense for taxpayers, with estimates placing the cost at around $105 million. This figure is based on analyses from various sources, including HuffPost, the GAO or General Accounting Office, Politico, and the Washington Post. The high cost is attributed to the frequent trips, the use of Air Force One, and the extensive security arrangements required for Trump's travels.
Trump's trips to his golf courses, often located at his own properties, have been much more expensive than Obama's. While Obama's golfing trips were mostly local and did not require plane travel, Trump's frequent visits to his ""winter White House" in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, have resulted in substantial costs for taxpayers. Each trip to and from Palm Beach International Airport costs taxpayers approximately $1 million in travel expenses alone, including the use of a cargo flight for the presidential motorcade and the Marine One helicopter.
The costs of Trump's golf trips also extend beyond just travel expenses. Local law enforcement and the Secret Service incur significant expenses to provide security for the President, his family, and his entourage. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw has stated that Trump's visits require additional resources such as helicopters, boats, and extra manpower, which are a drain on county funds. Furthermore, there are road closures and disruptions for residents in the area.
Trump has also been criticized for self-enrichment, as federal agencies have spent millions of dollars at his properties during these trips. For example, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that federal agencies spent an average of $13.6 million on each of the four trips to Mar-a-Lago during his first term, with some of that money going directly to Trump. Additionally, there are concerns about Trump overcharging the Secret Service to stay at his properties.
The total cost of Trump's golf trips is estimated to be over $340 million if he were to serve two terms as President, with each trip costing approximately $3.4 million. While Trump has combined these trips with work, such as signing executive orders and holding press conferences, the frequent and costly nature of these excursions has drawn scrutiny from the public and watchdog groups.
Abraham Ancer: Height and Golf Achievements
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trump's trips are a drain on county resources
Trump's frequent trips to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida are a drain on county resources. His trips have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, with the hourly operation of Air Force One costing nearly $200,000, meaning each round trip to Palm Beach approaches $1 million. Trump's trips have also resulted in increased security measures, road closures, and significant travel disruptions for local residents.
The Palm Beach County sheriff, Ric Bradshaw, has had to put helicopters in the air, extra manpower on the ground, and boats on both sides of Trump's mansion, incurring significant costs. The sheriff's office has reported a daily overtime bill of $240,000, and an invoice of $45 million to provide security for Trump's visits through November, a figure expected to rise.
Trump's trips have also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as federal agencies spent an average of $13.6 million on each of his four audited trips to Mar-a-Lago during his first term, with some of that money going directly into Trump's pocket as he owns the resort. Watchdog groups have criticized the situation, noting that taxpayers' money is flowing into a business owned by the president.
Trump's frequent trips and the associated costs have led to growing frustration among taxpayers who are forced to foot the bill, despite expectations of eventual federal reimbursement. While Trump criticized his predecessor, Barack Obama, for golfing while in office, Trump's own golf trips have been more frequent and more expensive, often requiring Air Force One and additional security arrangements.
Golfing Gear and Tips for May
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
According to Judicial Watch, President Obama's two golf excursions to Palm Springs, California, and Key Largo, Florida, cost taxpayers over $3 million. This figure includes the cost of a New Year's vacation to Hawaii, which was largely devoted to golf.
Yes, Obama spent taxpayer money on golf. The flights to and from Palm Springs for a February trip in 2014 totalled 9.8 hours at $210,877 an hour, which comes to a total of $2,066,594.60 in flight expenses.
Obama's golf trips were much less frequent and costly than Trump's. Trump's golf trips have cost at least $105 million, and he has played golf much more often than Obama, usually requiring Air Force One and accompanying security arrangements.
The costs of Obama's golf trips included flight expenses, logistical costs such as hotel rooms for staff and the Secret Service, and payments for cargo planes that accompany the president.
