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Fact check: How much has taxpayers paid for trumps golf trips in 2025
1. Summary of the results
Based on the available analyses, Trump's golf trips in 2025 have cost taxpayers at least $52 million [1]. The most significant expense documented is Trump's recent five-day trip to Scotland, which cost American taxpayers approximately $10 million [1] [2]. One source provides a slightly more precise estimate of $9.7 million for the Scotland trip [3].
The Scotland trip expenses covered travel, security, logistics, and lodging [2], with much of the money going directly to Trump's businesses [1]. This trip was specifically designed to promote Trump's luxury properties and open a new golf course in Scotland [4] [2].
For additional context, the analyses reveal that Trump spent $152 million in taxpayer money playing golf at his own resorts during his first term [1], with one source citing the figure as $151.5 million [3]. Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett reported that Trump's golf trips had cost approximately $26 million as of March 30 [3].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question lacks important context about the direct financial benefit to Trump's business empire. The analyses reveal that Trump is leveraging the power of the office to benefit himself at every turn [5] and using public funds to promote his private business ventures [2]. This represents a significant conflict of interest that wasn't addressed in the original question.
The question also doesn't acknowledge the historical pattern of expensive golf trips. Trump has spent over $1.6 billion while president [5], suggesting these 2025 costs are part of a much larger pattern of taxpayer-funded expenses.
Trump and his business organizations clearly benefit financially from these arrangements, as taxpayer money flows directly into his properties for security, lodging, and other services. Government security agencies and travel contractors also benefit from the substantial contracts required for presidential travel.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question appears neutral but may inadvertently minimize the scope of the issue by focusing only on 2025 costs without acknowledging the systematic use of taxpayer funds to enrich Trump's businesses [1] [2].
The question doesn't address the ethical concerns raised by multiple sources about a president using public office to promote his luxury properties [4] and direct taxpayer money to his own businesses. This framing could lead readers to view these expenses as routine presidential travel costs rather than what the sources describe as instances of using public funds for private business promotion [2].
The analyses consistently emphasize that these aren't just travel expenses but represent a pattern of self-enrichment through official duties [5] [2], which the original question's framing doesn't capture.