The presidency of the United States is actually an institution, not an individual. As an institution, it must be protected. Most people get that idea. But how much does it cost to protect that institution? As written about last week, the price tag could top $1 million per day to protect President-(s)elect Donald Trump, his immediate family, adult children, and Trump’s grandchildren. But did you know some of that money, which is being paid by the American people in general and New Yorkers especially, might be finding its way into the president-(s)elect’s personal pocket? The Christian Science Monitor reports that the Secret Service may have to rent space in Trump Tower in order to be able to do its job of protecting Trump and his family:
Mr. Trump’s wife, Melania, and son, Barron, are staying in New York until the spring, and Trump has stated that he will travel there regularly during that time. For the Secret Service, protecting the family requires setting up a command center nearby — and Trump Tower has available space.
That space could come with a $3 million annual price tag , reports the New York Post. And those taxpayer dollars will be paid into the coffers of a Trump business. These business-public linkages, which existed throughout the campaign, are unprecedented for a president.
[...]
Though numerous presidents have been independently wealthy, none has presented a conflict of interest on this scale, The Christian Science Monitor’s Peter Grier reports. Whereas George Washington and Thomas Jefferson’s fortunes were tied up in land and slaves, Trump’s businesses cover numerous US and global enterprises and stand to profit from business he directs toward them as Commander-in-Chief.
Barack Obama makes a little over $400,000 a year in his current job as president. According to the article, rent at Trump Tower is currently going for $170,000 per month—more than a cool $2 million a year. Nice work, Trump … even though you don’t start work for at least another month or so.