Report: Taxpayers have spent $71m on Trump's golf trips since January, with potential total cost reaching $300m

President Donald Trump has reportedly spent roughly $71 million of taxpayer money on golfing during his second term so far. If his current pace continues, this figure could reach $300 million by the end of his tenure.

A HuffPost review found that Trumps latest visit to Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday marked his 16th trip this year, with each excursion costing around $3.4 million in travel and security. Should he make two additional trips to Mar-a-Lago in December, his total golf-related expenses for 2025 could exceed $75 million, bringing the cumulative total for his second term past $300 million.

During his first term, Trump spent $151.5 million on golf travel and security paid by taxpayers. Beyond Mar-a-Lago, he made nine trips to his Bedminster, New Jersey resort at an estimated $1.1 million per trip, and one trip to his Aberdeen, Scotland course, costing nearly $10 million.

HuffPosts figures are based on a 2019 Government Accountability Office report covering Trumps first-term Mar-a-Lago trips. Most costs stem from military and law enforcement salaries, which havent been adjusted for inflation, so the real expense is likely higher.

Trumps fondness for golf is well-known internationally. In October, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi presented him with a gold-leaf golf ball and tee set, along with a club once used by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Earlier in May, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa brought golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen to the White House to help ease diplomatic tensions.

Golf has also been a tool for Trump to build influence and relationships. Politicians and global leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Senator Lindsey Graham, have played rounds with him, seeking favor or alliance.

Trumps latest health report cited his frequent golfing as evidence of his active lifestyle. However, his golf habits have drawn scrutiny, with former caddies noting that he uses unconventional methods to gain an edge, earning the nickname Pel for his tendency to kick the ball like the Brazilian soccer star.

Trips to Mar-a-Lago are particularly expensive due to comprehensive security measures, including armed boats and Coast Guard patrols, with Air Force One costing approximately $1.1 million for a four-hour round trip. Bedminster visits cost $1.1 million each, as Trump opts for a smaller 757 instead of a 747. By comparison, President Joe Bidens trips to Wilmington, Delaware, and Rehoboth Beach are far cheaper due to smaller aircraft or helicopter use.

Trump has also been compared to former President Barack Obama, who golfed frequently but at lower costs by using smaller planes or nearby courses. Trumps Marine One aerial tour of the Andrews course cost taxpayers roughly $115,000 and is not included in the $70.8 million total.

Trump famously criticized Obamas golfing in 2016, vowing that as president he would stop visiting courses like Turnberry and Doral. Yet, during his first term, Trump played golf 293 days at his own properties, breaking that pledge.

Analysis: The Financial Impact of Trump's Golfing Habit

As the cost of President Donald Trump's golfing continues to accumulate, the taxpayer burden becomes an increasingly pressing concern. According to a HuffPost review, Trump's golfing during his second term has already cost approximately $71 million, with projections indicating the total could surpass $300 million by the end of his tenure. This analysis highlights not only the financial implications but also the broader context surrounding these expenditures.

Trump's frequent visits to his Mar-a-Lago estate, at an estimated cost of $3.4 million per trip, have been the major contributor to this mounting total. With 16 visits already in 2025 and two more potentially planned in December, the total for this year alone could exceed $75 million. Compared to his first term, where Trump spent $151.5 million on golf-related travel and security, this figure represents a significant continuation of a pattern. The costs stem primarily from military and law enforcement salaries, which are not adjusted for inflation, suggesting the actual expenses are likely higher than reported.

Despite these concerns, Trump's golfing habits remain a central part of his public image. The president has used the sport as a tool to cultivate relationships with foreign leaders and domestic politicians alike. Notably, leaders such as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa have participated in rounds with Trump, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties. Additionally, his frequent golfing has been presented as evidence of his active lifestyle, a point emphasized in his latest health report.

However, these lavish expenditures contrast with President Joe Biden's more cost-efficient travel arrangements. Biden's trips to his residences in Delaware and Rehoboth Beach involve smaller, less expensive modes of transportation compared to Trump's use of Air Force One and the security protocols required for his trips. The comparison to former President Barack Obama, who also enjoyed golfing but did so at a lower cost, further underscores the financial discrepancy.

In conclusion, the mounting costs of Trump's golfing trips, while part of his public persona and diplomatic strategy, are a significant financial burden on taxpayers. With his pattern of frequent visits to his private properties, it is clear that these expenditures will continue to be a point of contention throughout his presidency.

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• Trump’s golf trips have cost taxpayers $71m since January and could eventually top staggering $300m, report says