Trump’s Golfing Habits Create Major Financial Burden
News Summary
As President Trump prepares for Thanksgiving at Mar-a-Lago, questions arise about the financial implications of his frequent golfing trips. Since January 2025, taxpayers have incurred nearly $71 million in costs from his golf outings, with each visit averaging $3.4 million. While Trump’s lifestyle contradicts his earlier promises to limit golfing while in office, the habitual trips continue to spark debate about their impact on public finances and opinion.
Trump’s Golfing Habits Create a Major Financial Burden
As Thanksgiving approaches, many Americans prepare to celebrate the holiday with family and friends. However, for President Donald Trump, this year marks yet another occasion for him to return to his luxurious Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. This annual getaway is not just about turkey and family; it also raises questions about the cost to taxpayers throughout his presidency.
Thanksgiving Traditions in Palm Beach
Thanksgiving has always been a special time for Trump and his family. The holiday kickstarts the social season in Palm Beach, an event Trump has indulged in multiple times since taking office. This year, his upcoming visit marks the 15th trip to Palm Beach County as President, showcasing his deep ties to the area.
Since beginning his second term on January 20, Trump has continued to frequent his beloved golf courses. During his first term from 2017-2021, Trump made three trips to Palm Beach, adding to his growing list of visits. His most recent trip was from November 14-16, just in time to gear up for Thanksgiving festivities.
Memorable Thanksgiving Moments
In 2017, Trump made headlines during his first Thanksgiving as president when he called troops overseas and took a trip to a local Coast Guard station. That year, he also spent time golfing with famous players like Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson, adding a splash of celebrity to his holiday.
In 2019, Trump chose a more adventurous route by secretly flying to Afghanistan to visit troops, emphasizing his commitment to service members. Surprisingly, in 2020, amid the controversial aftermath of the election, he opted to skip his Mar-a-Lago traditions, spending Thanksgiving at the White House instead.
The Cost of Presidential Golfing
With the joys of golf and social gatherings come significant costs. Since Trump resumed his presidency in January 2025, taxpayers have seen a staggering nearly $71 million bill for his golfing habits. Each visit to his Florida resort can average around $3.4 million in travel and security expenses.
If these trends continue, experts predict total golfing costs may soar beyond $300 million during his current term alone. To give some context, Trump’s first term saw a golf-related expense tally of approximately $151.5 million, bringing into question the value of these high-profile trips.
Breaking Down the Expenses
Trump’s outings are costly, with nine trips to his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf resort each costing about $1.1 million. Not to mention, his promotional efforts for new golf courses have significantly increased expenses; a trip to inaugurate a course in Scotland racked up nearly $10 million.
A large chunk of these expenses is attributed to the salaries of military and law enforcement personnel assigned to Trump’s security details during his travels. Not to forget, the operating costs of Air Force One, which happens to be about $273,063 per hour, primarily contribute to the total bills, making every round trip to Palm Beach around $1.1 million.
Security Challenges and Implications
Trump’s visits pose unique security challenges as they often require the presence of armed patrols and Coast Guard ships to ensure safety and manage crowds. Given these factors, it is no surprise that a considerable portion of taxpayer money goes into securing such lavish trips.
The Original Promise
Interestingly, when Trump was campaigning for the presidency in 2016, he vowed to avoid golfing while in office. Fast forward to the present, and it seems the golfing lifestyle has become a significant part of his administration, much to the surprise of many.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, and with it a flurry of activities at Mar-a-Lago, one can’t help but wonder if the price tag of such extravagant leisure will weigh heavily on public opinion and taxpayers alike.
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