Newly available government records show that the Secret Service has spent at least $1.75 million to protect the former president and his family.
The Secret Service spent at least $850,000 at former President Donald Trump's golf properties, $400,000 at Trump hotels, and $300,000 at Mar-a-Lago, according to documents obtained by a nonpartisan watchdog group.
During the summer months, Trump often leaves Florida for his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, but he currently lives at the waterfront Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.
During his time in office, Trump and his family traveled to Mar-a-Lago at least 146 times. The Winter White House was often called Mar-a-Lago by Trump.
The Washington Post reported that Mar-a-Lago charges the Secret Service nearly $400 per night to rent a room. There are spaces for meetings and equipment.
The Secret Service spending began after Trump became the Republican presidential nominee. It continues into Trump's post-presidential life, but doesn't include spending in 2022.
Trump was using the trips to line his pockets with taxpayer money, according to an online post.
Government ethics groups have long raised concerns about how Trump could use his presidency to benefit the Trump Organization and himself. Trump asked his sons to run his businesses even though he owned them.
The post-presidential team of Trump did not respond to the request for comment.
The total amount that went to the Trump Organization is closer to $2 million, according to a report. The documents will be posted in the coming days.
The reported $1.75 million is tied to spending on Trump properties, so it doesn't include spending on other hotels in the surrounding area or on car rentals and meals purchased elsewhere.
The Secret Service spends millions of dollars to protect current and former presidents. Unless they decline the service, former presidents are protected by the Secret Service until they die. The Secret Service spending stands to personally and significantly enrich Trump and his family.
According to documents obtained by the New York Post, the government spent at least $3 million on hotel stays and car rentals for President Joe Biden during his first 43 weeks in office.
The Secret Service was charged $2,200 per month to stay in a cottage on Biden's property before he became president. The Washington Post reported that Biden received $171,600 over the course of six years.
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