Barack Obama took 28 vacation trips lasting 217 days through nearly eight years in office (that count came as of fall 2016), while George W. Bush took 88 trips lasting 533 days. Guess which one drew more Republican ire, and specifically the ire of one Donald J. Trump? And guess who is heading off for a little Florida vacation this weekend?
The Florida trip is Trump’s first getaway as president and is expected to be part business, part pleasure. He will reunite with his wife, Melania, who has been living in Trump Tower in Manhattan as their 10-year-old son Barron finishes the school year, and there are rumors he will attend the American Red Cross’ annual fundraising gala, which is being held at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday night. In between the socializing, Trump will have several meetings and phone calls as he maintains his aggressive work schedule.
So. Much. To. Say. Here.
The trip will cost around $3 million, based on assessments of the cost of similar trips Obama took, which we know because Republican Sen. John Barrasso asked for an account of how much one Obama trip took, then described the fact that the president dared vacation as showing “arrogance.” Guess what Barrasso had to say about this Trump trip. That’s right—nothing. And of course, there are massive ongoing costs associated with Melania and Barron Trump staying in Manhattan so that the Secret Service has to protect an extra area, and one not built to be secure and located in the middle of a dense urban neighborhood.
Let’s also talk about Trump’s “aggressive work schedule.” Is that the one where a 5 PM phone call with the Australian prime minister was described as coming at the end of a long, exhausting day? Or is the work schedule being referred to here the possibility that Trump will attend the Red Cross gala, effectively doing work for the Trump Organization (i.e. his own personal profit) by showing other organizations that doing business with Mar-a-Lago can get his attention and favor?
Can Trump outpace Bush’s vacationing? Smart money says yes, but stay tuned.