By Blair Guild CBS News July 19, 2017
Even though President Trump hasn't spent the night in Trump Tower since moving into the White House, the federal government pays $130,000 a month leasing space in Mr. Trump's namesake skyscraper.
The $2.39 million lease for the White House Military Office rents out 3,475 sq. ft. in Mr. Trump's building and spans nearly 18 months from April 11, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2018, according to the lease documents obtained via a freedom of information request submitted by the Wall Street Journal. The contract also indicates that the government may cancel the lease anytime after this period so long as it provides a minimum 180 days notice to the owner.
The government paid $180,000 for the space in the last 20 days of April 2017, and $130,000 monthly thereafter, according to the General Services Administration (GSA) contract. The GSA is responsible for negotiating government office space agreements.
The lease is well above market price for similarly sized luxury residential properties in Manhattan, making it one of the most expensive rentals in the area. According to a Streeteasy.com listing from spring 2016, a 3,725 sq. ft. three-bedroom apartment in Trump Tower was listed at $50,000 a month unfurnished or $60,000 a month furnished, the WSJ reports.
The rental figure only represents the Defense Department and does not include other related but technically separate agencies, such as the U.S. Secret Service, which requests their own additional funds relating to the protection of Mr. Trump.
More:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-military-rents-space-in-trump-tower-despite-trumps-absence/
