Trump’s Golf Expenses Surpass $71 Million in 2025

News Summary

Taxpayers have spent nearly $71 million on President Trump’s golf-related expenses since he took office in January 2025. Forecasts indicate these costs could exceed $300 million by the end of his second term. With multiple trips to Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster, expenses continue to rise significantly, raising questions about the financial implications for taxpayers.

Golf Expenses Under the Spotlight as President Trump’s Travel Bill Soars

$71 Million Paid by Taxpayers and Rising

In a surprising and somewhat controversial revelation, it’s reported that taxpayers have forked out nearly $71 million for President Trump’s golf-related expenses since he took office in January 2025. With, what’s more, forecasts suggesting that these costs could balloon to over $300 million by the end of his second term, it’s safe to say the numbers are making quite a splash.

The Frequent Fliers Club: Trips to Mar-a-Lago

Just this week, Trump made his 16th trip to Mar-a-Lago, his well-known golf resort. This latest outing to the sprawling estate, uncomfortably close to a local jail, only adds to the hefty golf travel bill. Each time he hops on a plane to gather with friends on the green, it costs about $3.4 million due to travel and security expenses. If he happens to squeeze in two more visits to Mar-a-Lago in December, the tally for golf expenses in 2025 will easily surpass $75 million.

November saw him returning to his beloved golf club four times, including a visit during Halloween weekend—a treat, perhaps, for his supporters. But while he enjoys the sunshine and fresh air, the costs keep piling up, leading many to raise more than just eyebrows.

Looking Back: Finances During His First Term

Diving into the past gives even more perspective. During his first term, the golf tab hit around $151.5 million—not an insignificant sum by any means. The current situation has led to some eyebrow-raising discussions among political analysts about the ongoing realities of Trump’s presidency and what they call the normalization of corruption in American politics.

Interestingly, besides his Florida getaways, Trump has also made nine trips to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey. Each visit there racked up about $1.1 million in expenses as well. And who could forget the almost $10 million taxpayer hit from Trump’s trip to promote a new golf course in Scotland? It seems like golf is always on the agenda!

The Breakdown: Where’s It All Going?

According to an analysis that took cues from a 2019 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the majority of these golf-related expenses are tied to salaries for military and law enforcement personnel, which, it turns out, haven’t kept up with inflation. This means that while more money is being shelled out, it’s not necessarily yielding better value for taxpayers.

Security, naturally, plays a huge role in these expenses, particularly for Mar-a-Lago, given its unique challenges. The surrounding waters often require extensive patrols, adding another layer to those shiny bills. And let’s not forget about Air Force One, the presidential jet, which comes with an extravagant price tag of $273,063 per hour to operate. Each round trip from a military base to the local airport can add another $1.1 million to the millions already spent.

On the bright side—or dark, depending on your view—former President Biden’s trips to his home state tend to cost less, thanks to a smaller aircraft. Comparatively, past President Obama, who also enjoyed a good round, kept his costs down by primarily hitting the greens at Joint Base Andrews.

Of notable interest, Trump has yet to play a round at the Joint Base Andrews course, though he did survey it by air, incurring an impressive $115,000 in costs just for that overhead trip, which isn’t counted in the current tallies.

Promises vs. Reality

Looking back, before his election in 2016, Trump famously declared he wouldn’t play golf if elected president. Fast forward to now, and he’s enjoyed playing at his courses for a staggering 293 days throughout his first term alone. Since returning to office, he’s already clocked 29 days at his West Palm Beach course, with a total of 82 days spent at his own golf venues.

As the numbers continue to rise, so do questions about what it all means for the average American. With golf at the forefront of Trump’s expenses, many are left to wonder if this is a game we can all afford to play. Only time will tell as taxpayers watch closely and wallets tighten.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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