President Donald Trump's golf outings have already cost U.S. taxpayers at least $102 million, according to an analysis from the HuffPost.
The $102 million paid by Americans to cover security and travel expenses on the golf trips during Trump's almost two and half years in office was about $12.7 million less than what Barack Obama and his family spent on travel during Obama's eight years in the White House, according to documents obtained by Judicial Watch, a conservative government watchdog that relies on open records laws.
HuffPost said it "took a conservative approach to determining costs" of Trump's travel. It calculated Air Force One operating costs at $15,994 per-hour—the price of fuel and maintenance—although Pentagon documents received by Judicial Watch showed that each flight-hour cost $180,118 in fiscal year 2016 and $206,337 in fiscal year 2015.
The amount of money spent by Trump on golf since taking office highlights the disconnect between his campaign statements and his conduct while president. On the campaign trail during the 2016 election, Trump criticized Obama for golfing. In 2016, he tweeted "While our wonderful president was out playing golf all day, the TSA is falling apart, just like our government! Airports a total disaster!"
His campaign comments about Obama's golf habit continued the criticism he lobbed as a private citizen, when he tweeted frequently about Obama's golfing.
Trump's own golf outings have been a regular target since his term began. The president has golfed with figures including Rush Limbaugh, Bret Baier and Sean Hannity since taking office. He has also hit the links with Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, and Senators Rand Paul and Lindsey Graham.
Last month, NBC News reported that Trump had spent 252 days at his properties, such as Mar-a-Lago and Trump International Hotel, and 187 days at golf properties, such as Trump National Bedminster, in New Jersey.
The cost of Trump's travel has exacerbated ethics breaches within his administration. A number of Trump administration figures have drawn backlash for their travel habits. Former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt spent $124,000 of taxpayer money on first- and business-class travel while leading the agency, according to the agency's inspector general. Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke also violated agency travel policy by having his wife travel in government vehicles.
Correction: This story listed Bret Baier as a renowned conservative. He is a Fox News anchor. This has been corrected.
