Trump's travel expenses

Maybe when he visits Moscow, he can just crash with Putin instead of going to an expensive hotel. That should cut costs a bit.

It's not surprise; it's disgust. Add to that disgust that more Republicans (who seemed so worried about Obama's much more moderate travel costs) aren't more angry about this.

To the extent I am surprised, it is that Trump isn't jetting up to clog the streets of New York more often. I'd be more grateful about that if NYC taxpayers weren't still obligated to bear the brunt of millions for security for his wife and kid. (Hello, that should be a federal burden). www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/20/trump-family-security-new-york-palm-beach-taxes

That doesn't factor in the losses to business in Mar-a-lago and NYC as a result of his security. 

www.nytimes.com/2017/02/19/us/donald-trump-visits-mar-a-lago-businesses.html?_r=0

newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/12/07/trump-security-businesses-losses/


Most places just are not set up for the regular presence of a president and his entourage.

What are you guys complaining about? He's obviously using his savvy businessman skills that lead him to declare bankruptcy at least 6 times over the past 25 years.

Those are the business skills that his constituents claimed during the election would help "make America great again."

In fairness, getting rid of the school lunches for poor kids ought to cover a fraction of those costs.

I don't like the word "just" being in there. Averaging $12.1 million a year seems like a lot, to me. There was nothing modest about Obama in this regard. And Obama caught a lot of flak for his traveling expenses, as I recall.

That said, I don't trust all of these numbers, how they are being computed. I really don't. More importantly, I don't really care all that much, as long as the President is doing his or her job. There's going to be travel. There's going to be a need for security and staff when there is travel.

And that said, anyone who bitched about Obama's numbers better be bitching about Trump's, because I think it obvious that he's travelling more frequently than Obama or anyone other past President.

And that said, costs for security involving his family in New York or anywhere else is what it is. Trump isn't the cause of those expenses. His family needs security because the world is full of assholes. Blame the assholes for that.

I do agree we have an obligation to protect our president and his family, and it is never cheap.

But Trump's lifestyle choices have added tremendously to those expenses. I think past presidents have recognized that with the power and perks of the presidency come some lifestyle sacrifices. No one is asking him to live on lentils and take the bus, but come on -- every weekend playing golf in Florida? Really? And why not Camp David?  Isn't that why it's there?

And I disagree that he isn't responsible for the costs in New York -- past presidents brought their families to the White House, where they could efficiently and effectively be protected along with the president. Given how many kids move in the middle of a school year, I have little patience for the "oh, but moving during a school year!" angst.  Plus the kid can't be having anything like a good time here right now -- he must be a virtual prisoner in his apartment when he's not in class. I honestly think he'd be better off at the White House.

And yeah -- if you bitched about Obama's travel and Obama's golf, Trump is far outstripping him.