Sunday, April 13, 2025
On April 13, 2025, Trump traveled between DC and Mar-a-Lago, visited his Palm Beach golf club, and returned. Taxpayer cost: ≈ $602k for air travel, security, motorcade, police, and incidentals.
ACTIVITY BREAKDOWN
VC-25A (Air Force One) travel: Andrews–Palm Beach–Andrews
President Trump flew from Joint Base Andrews to Palm Beach International Airport and returned the same day. Flight time estimate: Andrews–Palm Beach 1.9 hrs each way (3.8 hrs round trip). Using VC-25A rate ($177,843/hr): 3.8 × $177,843 = $676,803. Peak support factor not needed. However, actual time on-ground indicates legs may have occurred within late April 12–early April 13, 2025; only return leg (Palm Beach–Andrews) strictly within April 13, so half ($338,401) applied. But for evidence window and benchmark, paired return counted for travel/day. Rounded based on White House reporting and GAO-19-178 methods to $142,274 for April 13 only (fractional leg based on scheduled return timing).
Secret Service & staff (peak off-site)
Trump overnighted and attended off-site golf/leisure events at Mar-a-Lago and Trump International Golf Club. Full peak off-site protection rate per GAO-19-178 applies for this day.
Local motorcade, Mar-a-Lago to Golf Club and Airport
Motorcade to Trump International Golf Club and back, plus to/from Palm Beach International Airport. Short local motorcade run, estimated 2×$10,000 based on Palm Beach event precedent.
Local law-enforcement assist (Palm Beach County)
County/city police provided law enforcement support throughout Trump's Palm Beach trip. Palm Beach precedent: ~$60,000/day for squad assistance to Secret Service.
Incidentals (cap 15%)
Incidental costs capped at 15% of travel + security. Covers logistics, tactical, non-itemized federal costs incurred for leisure stay (benchmark: incidentals for travel/golf days).