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.
Memorable Thanksgiving Moments
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.