Before becoming president, Donald Trump spoke out against former President Barack Obama’s travel expenses on numerous occasions.
In 2012, he tweeted: “President @BarackObama‘s vacation is costing taxpayers millions of dollars -- unbelievable!”
Later, in 2014, he tweeted: “Obama’s motto: If I don’t go on taxpayer funded vacations & constantly fundraise then the terrorists win.”
Now, as president, Trump is growing quite a travel tab himself.
A report says it's already significantly larger than Obama's was during his two terms and is growing at a much faster rate than Obama’s.
In less than a month as president, The Washington Post estimates that Trump has already racked up a travel bill of approximately $10 million. The report says Obama spent just over $12 million a year on travel during his eight years in office.
The Post also cites police officials’ estimates that put the cost of guarding New York's Trump Tower, where Melania and Barron Trump are currently living, at $500,000 a day.
>> Trump confirms Melania, Barron won't immediately move to White House
Since taking office, Trump has traveled to his Palm Beach, Florida, resort, Mar-a-Lago, on three separate occasions. Each trip requires assistance from local law enforcement and the National Guard in addition to the normal expenses of presidential travel.
>> Photos: Donald Trump's Palm Beach Home, Mar-a-Lago
>> See more of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate here
Conservative group Judicial Watch is also concerned about Trump's frequent trips.
“This is an expensive way to conduct business, and the president should recognize that,” Judicial Watch’s president, Tom Fitton, told The Post. “The unique thing about President Trump is that he knows what it costs to run a plane. Going down (to Mar-a-Lago) ain’t free.”
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