President Donald Trump is back on the golf course and it’s coming at a big cost to taxpayers. Since returning to the office in January, Trump has racked up nearly $71 million in golf-related travel and security expenses, according to a HuffPost analysis.
And if he keeps up the pace, that number could top $300 million by the end of his second term.
Cost of Travel and Security Is Adding Up
Trump has already made 16 trips to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, each costing about $3.4 million.
That includes Air Force One flights and extensive security operations. Two more trips in December would push the 2025 total to over $75 million.
For comparison, Trump spent $151.5 million on golf-related expenses during his entire first term. That means his second term is already on track to more than double that amount.
In addition to Mar-a-Lago visits, Trump has taken nine trips to his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey, at about $1.1 million each, and flew to Scotland earlier this year to promote a new course at his Aberdeen resort, costing nearly $10 million.
The biggest chunk of the bill is Air Force One. According to a Government Accountability Office report, the aircraft costs $273,063 per hour to operate. A round trip to Palm Beach runs about $1.1 million.
HuffPost used cost estimates from a 2019 GAO report and did not adjust them for inflation, meaning the true total is likely even higher.
Security and Geography Drive Up Costs
Mar-a-Lago poses unique challenges for law enforcement. Its location on a barrier island means the Coast Guard must patrol the nearby water with boats, while additional security staff cover land and air.
Meanwhile, Trump has never used the more affordable Joint Base Andrews golf course, which was often preferred by President Barack Obama.
Rick Wilson, a former Republican consultant turned critic of Trump, said:
“The corruption is so baked in, so endemic, and so ludicrous that it feels like the collective reaction will be a shrug.”
Trump Brags About His Game—Again
The high costs come as Trump continues to boast about his golf skills.
On Thanksgiving, he told military members, “I’ve won 38 golf championships and I don’t get to practice very much.” He claimed he beat a 27-year-old to win a club championship last year.
“I’ve been a good golfer over the years. Club championships are our majors,” he said. “I’ve won 38 of them, every one of them legitimately.”
When asked if he would ever play a golf match with former President Joe Biden, Trump replied, “I’d love to. I’ve invited him, but he doesn’t want to show up.”
Trump claimed to have a “very low handicap” and suggested he is “right around scratch or better.”
But critics and former playing partners have called out his alleged cheating. In his book “Commander in Cheat,” sportswriter Rick Reilly wrote, “Trump doesn’t just cheat at golf. He cheats like a three-card Monte dealer.”
Despite the controversy, Trump continues to prioritize golf, and taxpayers keep footing the bill.
IMAGE CREDIT: “President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks on the Administration’s tariff plans” by Abe McNatt, The White House. Licensed under U.S. Government Work. Image adjusted for layout.