Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Trump's 9/23/25 NYC-to-DC UN trip cost taxpayers ~$544k: AF1, helicopters, NYC security, major motorcades, and incidentals for UNGA.
ACTIVITY BREAKDOWN
VC-25A (Air Force One) NY–DC
Short presidential air leg (JFK to Joint Base Andrews) estimated at 0.4 flight hours each way, $177,843/hr; total 0.8 hr = $142,274. Only DC segment counted since only per-day cost for 9/23/25 (return leg).
Marine One/Helicopter operations (NYC)
Downtown Manhattan Heliport operations (arrival/departure). Assumes 1 hr helicopter ops total, matches standard press and operational pools.
Motorcade (Trump Tower–UN–helipads)
Multiple secured ground convoys for UNGA, receptions and inter-hotel/event movements. Estimated total for 2 major NYC deployments at $10,000 ea.
Secret Service & WH staff (peak off-site, NYC/UNGA)
Full day of peak Secret Service and White House staff for high-security UNGA and Manhattan events, per GAO-19-178 maximum for offsite ops.
Local law-enforcement assist (NYPD/Manhattan)
One full day law enforcement support, Palm Beach/NYC match for extraordinary citywide alert during presidential UNGA moves and events.
Incidentals (15% cap)
Covers non-itemized logistics, communications, per-diem, capped at 15% of base travel+security per benchmarks.