Trump Travel Spending Could Exceed Obama's 8-Year Expenses In 1 Year Alone

President Donald Trump might be on track to spend more taxpayer money on travel during his first year of presidency than former President Barack Obama spent during his eight years in office.

According to CNN on Monday, Trump has been at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Florida, for a total of 21 days till now during his 80 days of presidency, which could have cost an estimated $21.6 million.

In comparison, a December 2016 Government Accountability Office report reviewed by Judicial Watch found that Obama took a similar four-day trip to Florida in 2013 and his trip cost was $3.6 million.

During his two terms of presidency, Obama spent nearly $97 million on travel, according to documents reviewed by Judicial Watch. The travel costs included both official and family trips.

Trump has constantly criticized Obama for his travel expenditure. However, the amount of money Trump has been estimated to spend on his trips in a year comes in stark contrast to his criticisms and his pledge to slash federal funding.

As comparisons are being drawn to the former first family, Trump and his family have proven to be more expensive to be protected. New York City officials told CNN that apart from the frequent huge travel expenditure, it costs between $127,000 and $146,000 a day to protect first lady Melania Trump when her husband is not there.

Trump will likely visit his resort less frequently after May because of the weather. However, some believe the president will often visit the Trump Tower in New York City where the first lady and his son Barron Trump live. Trump will also be expected to visit Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster Township, New Jersey.

On Monday, Florida lawmakers proposed to employ special taxes on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in order to curb the security costs for his frequent visits, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit that cost the security service even more. Trump’s visit along with Xi from April 6 to 7 at his resort cost $250,000, which included at least $120,000 per day in overtime pay for law enforcement officials, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Fox News reported.

"We’re very honored to have the president here, but at the same time, his travel here is such high frequency he’s not visiting Palm Beach County — he’s governing from it," Palm Beach County Commissioner Dave Kerner told Money magazine last month and suggested the county be reimbursed for the president's frequent Mar-a-Lago visits.