Trump says he’s no king, but he lives like one
by William S. Becker, opinion contributor - 10/27/25 8:00 AM ET
After 7 million people took to the streets to protest his presidency, President Trump assured the country that he doesn’t consider himself a king. However, he certainly lives like one, and the middle-class Americans who helped elect him are paying for it, literally or metaphorically.
The group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility tallied several of Trump’s extravagances four months into his current term. They include nearly half a billion dollars for “vanity projects,” including his military parade, a statuary garden, upgrades on Air Force One, and gilding for the Oval Office. He spent $1.7 million on new furniture and fixtures in the White House.
The parade cost the U.S. Army $30 million, plus expenses for security and street repairs. Now Trump is planning a “spectacular birthday party” next July to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. That will cost at least $100 million. During the event, Trump plans to unveil a National Garden of American Heroes, featuring 250 life-sized statues of as-yet-unnamed notables. The estimated cost is $34 million.
According to the Golf Tracker website, Trump has spent 25 percent of his presidency golfing so far, which has cost taxpayers $98 million. At that rate, his golf outings will cost more than the $150 million he spent on the sport during his first term.
Federal records show that during the first few months of his current term, the Secret Service spent $100,000 during 129 visits to Trump’s properties. It spent nearly $2 million at Trump properties during his first term. The president obviously needs protection; the question is whether his businesses should profit from it.
Which of Trump’s transactions is the most outrageous? What about his claim that the Department of Justice (i.e., taxpayers) owes him $230 million for alleged harms he suffered due to the investigations of him related to the Russia “collusion” scandal and his theft of classified documents? Since Trump controls the Justice Department, the claim constitutes a clear conflict of interest. It is also a stunning show of chutzpah from a man who escaped trial on those counts by winning the presidency.
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https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5572425-trump-living-large-taxpayers/
