Special Poll
President Donald Trump has now spent over $26 million in taxpayer funds on golf excursions since beginning his second term in January a figure that is reigniting criticism over whether he is using public money responsibly or wasting it for personal leisure, as many in the media suggest.
Trump was spotted again Saturday morning at his West Palm Beach golf course, located near the county jail and just across the Intracoastal Waterway from Mar-a-Lago, his private club and frequent getaway. This marks his 14th day at that course and his 18th day at one of his golf properties since the January 20 inauguration, meaning he has spent more than one-quarter of his second term so far on the golf course.
In total, he has now visited a Trump-branded golf resort on nine out of ten weekends since retaking office.
A HuffPost analysis using estimates from a 2019 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report placed the total cost of these golf-related trips at $26,127,531 and climbing. That figure includes the enormous expenses of moving the president’s motorcade, transporting security teams, and operating Air Force One, among other logistical costs.
Critics have long taken issue with Trump’s frequent use of his own properties during official business, noting that taxpayer money flows directly into his private business ventures whenever he visits his golf courses or clubs. Some watchdog groups argue this amounts to self-dealing on the public’s dime.
During his first term, Trump repeatedly defended his golfing habits, claiming it was good for diplomacy and branding himself as a businessman who could multitask even while on the course. But now, with his second term underway and the nation facing economic, legal, and international challenges, many are asking whether these recurring weekend golf trips are the best use of taxpayer resources.
His supporters argue that every president deserves downtime and that Trump is simply using properties he already owns, avoiding the rental costs that might come with other travel. But the optics of multi-million-dollar golf weekends, especially at a time when many Americans are struggling with inflation and economic uncertainty, are fueling a growing backlash.
So far, the administration has declined to comment on the exact purpose of each trip or whether official business is conducted during these golf outings.
As the $26 million price tag climbs, it raises a bigger question for voters and taxpayers alike: Is President Trump wasting taxpayer money on golf, or is this just the cost of doing business when the president prefers to unwind on the links?