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Donald Trump’s Golfing Habits Compared to Barack Obama’s: Who Played More on the Course?
During his presidency, Donald Trump criticized Barack Obama for his frequent golf outings, suggesting that the then-president was neglecting his duties. However, upon closer inspection, it appears that Trump himself may have spent significantly more time on the golf course than Obama.
Trump’s Harsh Criticism of Obama’s Golfing
Before stepping into the political arena, Trump criticized Obama for his golfing habits. In 2014, while Obama was still in office, Trump tweeted, “We pay for Obama’s travel so he can fundraise millions so Democrats can run on lies. Then we pay for his golf.”
Donald Trump often criticized Barack Obama’s golfing habits (Twitter)
Trump’s Frequent Golfing During His Presidency
Upon entering the White House, Trump continued to prioritize golfing. The Trump Organization, which he owns, boasts 18 golf resorts globally. One of his favorite destinations was the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. However, the exact number of golf rounds Trump played during his presidency remains unclear, as his aides generally did not confirm whether his visits were for business or pleasure.
Obama, on the other hand, played approximately 333 rounds throughout his eight-year term, according to CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller. This suggests that Trump may have spent considerably more time on the sport.
The Financial Impact of Trump’s Golfing
Travel costs during a presidency are not trivial, and Trump’s travels appear to have been particularly expensive. In 2019, The Washington Post predicted that Trump’s trips to his golf resorts cost taxpayers around $64 million. By October 2020, Robert Reich, a former Labor Secretary and author, estimated that these trips had cost taxpayers a staggering $141 million.
In his tweet, Reich said, “Once again, Trump brags about donating his $400,000 presidential salary. Somehow he forgot to mention that his golf trips have cost taxpayers $141,000,000.” This highlights a significant discrepancy between Trump’s public statements and the true financial burden his activities placed on the public.
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