President Donald Trump is facing renewed criticism over the cost of his frequent golf outings, as new estimates suggest taxpayers have spent as much as $138.6 million on travel and security related to his time on the course since his return to office in January 2025.
The figures, circulated widely on social media in recent days as the Iran War intensifies, indicate that Trump visited golf courses roughly 99 times during his first 14 months back in the White House, about 23 percent of his days in office.
The costs stem largely from the extensive security and logistics required each time the president travels, including flights aboard Air Force One, Secret Service protection, and coordination with local law enforcement.
The issue has drawn sharper attention as Americans continue to grapple with higher prices for everyday goods, including fuel and groceries. Critics argue that the scale of the spending sends the wrong signal at a time when many households are feeling financial strain.
Some of the most detailed spending estimates come from watchdog trackers and past government reports. A 2019 analysis of Trump’s earlier presidency found that each golf trip could cost millions of dollars once all security and travel expenses were included.
These estimates draw from a 2019 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that examined four of Trump’s trips during his first term to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
That report calculated an average cost of about $3.4 million per trip, covering expenses like Air Force One flights, separate cargo planes for the motorcade, Secret Service protection, local law enforcement coordination, Coast Guard support, and other logistics.
The costs add up quickly because presidential travel requires extensive security measures, regardless of the destination.
Trips often involve multiple aircraft, ground transportation, and personnel deployment to secure the area. Many of these visits have been to Trump’s own properties, such as his West Palm Beach-area clubs near Mar-a-Lago or his Bedminster course in New Jersey.
While the president doesn’t pay green fees out of pocket for his own courses, the taxpayer-funded security and travel are the main drivers of the expense.
Adding to the tab are specific contracts for support at these locations. For instance, at the Bedminster club, the Secret Service secured deals in mid-2025 to rent golf carts and portable restrooms.
One contract covers up to $550,930 in golf cart purchases through June 2026, allowing agents to move efficiently around the large property. Another provides portable toilets for up to $80,385 through May 2026, with renewal options that could raise the total.
The agency explained that these are necessary for operational needs, carts help personnel cover the grounds, and extra restrooms accommodate the large number of details when club facilities are limited or closed after hours. Taxpayers cover these as part of protective duties.
This pattern echoes Trump’s first term, where similar trips led to an estimated $151.5 million in golf-related taxpayer costs over four years, according to analyses based on GAO data.
In the current term, the pace has drawn attention amid broader economic pressures. Many Americans have dealt with rising prices for groceries, fuel, and housing in recent years, especially amid the current war.
The tracker notes that updates on golf days have slowed, except when clear sightings emerge, as the administration has adjusted public scheduling. Still, the latest available data from late March 2026 shows the total days and costs continuing to climb steadily.
Frequent weekend trips to Florida or New Jersey often include time at golf clubs, even as international and domestic issues demand attention.
These figures rely on historical per-trip averages adjusted for the number of visits.
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