Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Golf, United States
Jack Kenmare
Since returning to the White House hotseat, Donald Trump and his golfing exploits have cost American taxpayers a staggering amount, with the price of Air Force One operations being revealed.
Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in January, just months after completing arguably the most remarkable political comeback in American history.
He started his second non-consecutive term as president by declaring that America's decline is "over" before issuing executive orders on a series of pledges, including a crackdown on immigration.
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Soon though, Trump was back on his beloved golf course, just one week after being sworn in.
In fact, the 78-year-old was pictured with his driver at the Trump National Doral in Miami on January 27, two days after being asked if he would have time to play golf while on board Air Force One.
“No. I don’t think so. I’m busy,” he replied, as per CNN’s Betsy Klein.
On the subject of Air Force One, a report from AP has previously revealed that the aircraft costs roughly $200,000 per hour, according to Pentagon data.
"But those figures only scratch the surface of the real cost," the report adds.
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"There also are military cargo planes that travel ahead of the president to make sure his armored limousines are in place, not to mention the enormous security apparatus that follows the president everywhere."
Based on the 2019 Government Accountability Office report which focused on his first four trips during his first term as president, his golf exploits have also cost American taxpayers more than $18 million since he returned to the White House.
It was estimated that the first presidency totalled $151.5 million for golf trips and the figure for this term looks set to be even higher with inflation taken into account.
Trump and his entourage are understood to fly to Florida using the Air Force One. There is also patrolling law enforcement and sniffer dogs present as part of strict security measures put in place.
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Trump, meanwhile, played golf for the 13th day of his 48 in office on Saturday, according to the Huffington Post, who claim it was his 10th day playing at his course in West Palm Beach.
The 78-year-old owns 12 different courses across America, as well as courses in Ireland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Scotland.
"I often get asked why did I get involved in golf," he told Today's Golfer. "Well, I have friends that are very successful people and they love to garden. And I like to garden too – just in a much bigger way.
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"I also love tremendous acreage. When you have 600 acres on the ocean overlooking Catalina Island in Los Angeles, there’s a tremendous value there for me."