President Trump's Golf Expenses: A Costly Habit for Taxpayers

Since his return to office in 2025, President Donald Trump’s golf outings have incurred at least $101.2 million in travel and security expenses, according to a HuffPost analysis. This figure represents two-thirds of the total costs from his first term and suggests he may reach $300 million by the end of his current term. Trump has visited his golf courses 56 times, spending over one-quarter of his days in office on the golf course.

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Trump's golf trips have been particularly costly due to the extensive security measures required. Each visit necessitates the presence of a Coast Guard ship offshore and armed law enforcement vessels in the Intracoastal Waterway. His most expensive trip to date was a $9.7 million visit to his Scottish resorts, which included the grand opening of a new course at his Aberdeen property. The White House has categorized these outings as “executive time,” a term that has appeared in his public schedule almost daily.

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During his first term, Trump played golf for a total of 293 days, costing taxpayers $151.5 million. In contrast, former President Barack Obama’s golf expenses were significantly lower, primarily because he played at Joint Base Andrews, which is close to the White House. Trump had previously criticized Obama for his golf outings, claiming he would be too busy to engage in such activities. However, Trump's golf expenses have far exceeded those of his predecessor.

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Critics have expressed concern over the financial burden of Trump's golf habit on taxpayers, especially amid rising gas prices and an affordability crisis. Jordan Libowitz from the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington stated, “If his goal were to help struggling Americans out, one thing he could try is stop spending their money going to his golf courses.” This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among some citizens regarding the prioritization of personal leisure over public financial responsibility.

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The White House has not provided detailed explanations regarding the costs associated with Trump's golf trips, merely stating, “Executive time refers to executive time.” This lack of transparency has fueled further criticism and speculation about the nature of these outings.

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While the HuffPost analysis relies on figures from a 2019 Government Accountability Office report, it does not adjust for inflation, suggesting that the actual costs may be higher than reported. Additionally, discrepancies exist between the costs of Trump's travel compared to those of President Biden, who utilizes smaller aircraft for his trips, resulting in lower operational costs.

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• “At a time when gas prices are spiking and Americans across the country find themselves in an ever-worsening affordability crisis, the president has burned through over $100 million in taxpayer money in order to make promotional appearances at his golf courses and hobnob with millionaires and billionaires,” — Jordan Libowitz, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

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• “Executive time refers to executive time.” — White House Press Office

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As Trump's presidency continues, the financial implications of his golf outings remain a contentious issue, raising questions about the intersection of personal leisure and public expense.

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