As President Trump rants about government waste, he continues to spend taxpayer money, as my mom used to say, “like a drunken sailor.” Want some examples? Here are just a few.
Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has flown to his properties every week to play golf. How much do these little excursions cost? Let’s take a look. In his first 30 days alone, he played golf nine times. So far, the cost of these golf expeditions is estimated at $18 million. These junkets involve Air Force One flying him back and forth, plus additional expenses for flying down vehicles, including two presidential limos and Trump’s motorcade. Let’s also consider the cost of the Secret Service staying at his properties during these weekends for which the government pays for rooms and meals.
Last weekend, Trump did not break his golf-every-weekend streak. He flew to Florida, boasted that he won the tournament at Palm Beach once again, and then attended an awards banquet. He did take time out from his busy schedule to watch airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on a remote display screen.
If Trump continues playing golf at this rate throughout his term, the cost is estimated to be $500 million. (His first-term golf expenses were $152 million.)
All indications are that Melania is seldom at the White House. The estimated cost of protecting the First Lady while she is in Trump Tower in New York City and Mar-a-Lago is $300 million per year.
Various financial newspapers estimated the cost of Trump’s trip to the Superbowl. Here is the breakdown. Secret Service: $7 to $10 million. Air travel and motorcade: $5 million. Stadium security upgrades: $2 million. Local law enforcement: $1 million. Conservative estimates make the total cost for this boondoggle at $15 million. Trump left at half time.
Trump’s trip to the Daytona 500 is estimated to have cost taxpayers around $5 million. The costs again included an Air Force One trip, presidential motorcade, secret service, and security, staffing and logistical support, and additional emergency and military resources. Trump did a flyover on Air Force one before his presidential limousine drove him around the track for a lap. He left the event after 11 laps.
So far, Trump’s Guantanamo Bay fiasco has cost taxpayers $16 million. Trump promised to send 30,000 migrants to Cuba. As of today, he detained 300 migrants there for a short time. Now all of them have been flown to various other places. The Wall Street Journal reported that hundreds of U.S. troops were guarding empty tents.
During his first term, Trump spent $1.7 million redecorating the White House. So far, his plans in this term include replacing the Rose Garden with a hard surface that resembles a patio like the one he has at Mar-a-Lago. In recent days, Trump has also said he would like to build a new ballroom in the White House similar to the one at Mar-a-Lago. I doubt that any of the thousands of fired Federal employees will have an opportunity to check out the new ballroom.
Let’s remember that Federal employee salaries in total amount to less than five percent of the Federal budget. In 2024, the average Federal employee earned about 24.7 percent less than their counterparts in similar positions. The conspicuous consumption during the early days of this administration juxtaposed against thousands of Federal employees losing their jobs is difficult to swallow.
Adding up Trump’s cited exercises in excess in less than 60 days, and trust me this is the tip of the iceberg, would conservatively equate to about 6,000 Federal employee salaries. You know, employees who were working on cancer research, saving children’s lives in Africa, helping veterans get appropriate healthcare, and so much more, who are no longer employed.
Philosopher Bertrand Russell once wrote, “We have, in fact, two kinds of morality side by side; one which we preach but do not practice, and another which we practice but seldom preach.”
Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of the federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, music, and nature.
Bob Rietz says
Thw White House might be a good place for DOGE to search for waste, fraud, and abuse.
Maria W. Grant says
Bob, great idea. Thanks for writing.
Joyce DeLaurentis says
Perfect summary of waste and abuse.
Maria W. Grant says
Joyce,
Thanks!
Art Cecil says
That is one pathetic rant.
Maria W. Grant says
Art, sorry you feel that way. Would love to hear your defense of this flagrant spending.
Art Cecil says
If flagrant spending is the issue, rather than Trump, one would be in total support of DOGE. In addition, every Congress for the past three or more decades would be a target. The country is in serious trouble because of its addiction to spending beyond its means, both public and private. At some point someone needed to take the heat for trying to get DC’s behavior under control; and apparently it’s Trump. Let’s wait to see where we are a few years from now before the launch of personal criticism.
Maria Grant says
Art, with all due respect, I fail to see how raising the debt ceiling and giving tax breaks to the uber wealthy, helps get spending under control.
Michael Davis says
Per Google, the word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word “hypokritikos,” which means “play actor”. The Greek language is about 4,000 years old making it the oldest spoken language in the world.
All this is relevant because being a hypocrite is not something a good person does. Yet the word accurately describes Trump and 99% of the Republican leadership. Remember when the deficit was bad? Now that Trump is President, they will blow it up for tax breaks. As pointed out by Ms. Grant, Trump complains bitterly about federal employees who don’t show up to the office. Yet he “works” from home awarding himself trophies at his golf club in Florida.
One would hope that after 4,000 years, people would be embarrassed about being hypocrites. Apparently not.
Maria W. Grant says
Michael, love your description of hypocrite. I too am amazed that more Americans aren’t thoroughly disgusted.
Francine DeSanctis says
It’s only a crime when it pertains to someone else. Like removing secret service protection for Biden’s children, but happy to take it for his own kids, after losing the 2016 election. Hypocrisy is Trump’s rule to live by.
Maria W. Grant says
Francine, sad but true. Thanks for writing.
Jim Bachman says
In his last term he spent 22% of his time on the golf course and a full 30% of his time at one of his properties.
If one considers how cold this winter was one could argue that he is on track to far exceed the numbers of his first term. Which begs the question: Who is in charge? This site pegs his golfing number at 28% for this term.
https://trumpgolftrack.com/
Maria W. Grant says
Jim, Thanks for the site reference. Do you think he’s reading his daily briefings?
Jim Bachman says
My understanding is that in the first term, the briefings were reduced to simple phrases and pictures due to his limited verbal skills. See the Flesch-Kincaid scores (4.5)
https://rollcall.com/2019/10/03/not-stable-genius-again-or-please-stop-making-us-run-this-analysis/
Generally, the advice for a general public speaking engagement is to target Grade 8-10. Muchh below 8 and you sound dull; much above 10 makes you sound like you are trying to speak over the heads of your audience and it leaves the audience feeling like they are being lectured.
Michael Pullen says
Thanks for the information.
The administration says it’s trying to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, so why does the President spend so much of our taxpayer’s money on hugely expensive personal entertainment events and golfing trips?
About 6 in 10 Americans live paycheck to paycheck. About 25% of Americans cannot afford an emergency that costs $400.
https://spendmenot.com/how-many-americans-live-paycheck-to-paycheck/#:~:text=More%20than%206%20in%2010%20Americans%20live%20from%20paycheck%20to%20paycheck.
Is it any wonder that people are upset with the government?
Maria W. Grant says
Michael, I was not familiar with your reference. Thanks for writing. My question is why aren’t more people upset?
William Keppen says
DOGE that all Trumpsters that tune into this site.
Maria W. Grant says
William, please say more.
Calvin Yowell says
I hope you sent copies to the White House and to major newspapers, especially the Washington Post. Maybe be add a bit of humor playing off the billions and billions, or is it millions or gazillions!!!
Good read.
Maria W. Grant says
Calvin, thanks for writing. I wish more people were listening.
Joyce Stambaugh says
Thank you for this very revealing information.
Maria W. Grant says
Joyce, you’re welcome!
Charles Barranco says
I find it difficult to swallow that the lives of so many federal employees have been turned upside down through no fault of their own. This bloated orange painted slob doesn’t care about them or their families. He just doesn’t care. It’s all about him and tax cuts for his billionaire friends.
I can only hope that he is impeached long before his term of office expires.
Thank you for your research and presentation of real dollars that this nut job is squandering.
Maria W. Grant says
Charles, I feel your outrage. Thanks for writing.
Lisa hartge says
Excellent piece. This should be on every news media every single day with a ticker-tape scrolling on the bottom of the screen showing the real waste in real time.
Maria W. Grant says
Lisa, If only! Thanks for writing.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Americans have been led to believe that the government is too large, too expensive, over-regulated, and wasteful-without truly understanding the reality of its effectiveness or shortcomings. Meanwhile, the relentless drumbeat of anti-government rhetoric, driven by those who stand to profit most from its dismantling, paves the way for figures like Musk and Trump.
They mean to hallow out SS, Medicare, Medicaid, etc so they become ineffective to US citizens. Then they can privatize for profit.
There is a huge groundswell of opposition brewing, just listen to Substack
and the thousands tuning in all day. No one is waiting on the lazy Democrat leadership,
the people will do it.
Bob Parker says
Adding to trump treating the presidency funded by private citizens tax dollars is the fact that he abbrogates all responsibilities of being President. He wants the power and spotlight, but when asked specific questions regarding policy he never gives a direct answer, when an action is citizens he most often says ” I don’t know anything about that, you’ll have to ask XX [frequently Musk] about that”. One has to ask just WHAT does he know? I suspect that he knows he is way over his head but he does know how to scam his MAGA followers so he’ll have a nice retirement in addition to his presidential pension of $226,200/yr. Yes, he is play acting but unfortunately the American tax payers are the fools.
Carol Voyles says
And the lies? There can be gray areas, and emotions run high. But our numbers don’t lie.
Our debt ceiling remains, for now. But while the debt of Republican administrations has been considerably higher as a share of our economy over the past 80 years, President Trump seems intent upon carrying on in a manner that imperils more than our fiscal health.
Maria Grant says
Carol, agree!
Eva M. Smorzaniuk MD says
Thank you for taking the time to investigate all these costs that are not openly revealed to the US taxpayer. It probably offsets the claimed millions that DOGE has “saved” for the country. I wish that articles such as yours could have broader viewership!
Maria Grant says
Eva, thanks for writing. Much appreciated.
Barbara Fox says
“Do as I say, not as I do!” Does anyone remember reading about the fall of Rome??
Sebastian Canizares says
There is simply no way a reasonable American can excuse the frivolous spending of the Trump Administration. While Donald Trump’s platform suggests it is a “Party of the People”, all actions suggest otherwise. Maria Grant thoughtfully juxtaposes Trump’s frivolous spending habits with his thoughtless military attacks against Iran-backed Houthis. Additionally, she deliberately measures Trump’s conspicious consumption thus far as the salary of 6,000 federal employees, effectively bringing to light the hypocrisy of the current administration’s actions. This, coupled with the extreme actions of DOGE to increase government efficiency by blatantly firing federal workers should anger anyone who values American ideals. The same extreme actions that Maria Grant effectively brings to light in her editorial piece.
Maria Grant says
Sebastian, thanks so much for your insightful comments. Much appreciated.
Sebastian Canizares says
There is simply no way a reasonable American can excuse the frivolous spending of the Trump Administration. While Donald Trump’s platform suggests it is a “Party of the People”, all actions suggest otherwise. Maria Grant thoughtfully juxtaposes Trump’s frivolous spending habits with his thoughtless military attacks against Iran-backed Houthis. Additionally, she deliberately measures Trump’s conspicuous consumption thus far as the salary of 6,000 federal employees, effectively bringing to light the hypocrisy of the current administration’s actions. This, coupled with the extreme actions of DOGE to increase government efficiency by blatantly firing federal workers should anger anyone who values American ideals. The same extreme actions that Maria Grant effectively brings to light in her editorial piece.
James Brennan says
Nice summary Maria. Funny how Trump is a President that seems to want to be a golfer, while Elon Musk is a Tech CEO that seems to want to be a government employee, and neither is qualified for their desired positions. And we foot the bill for their on-the-job training.