Fact check: How do Trump's golf trip expenses compare to other presidential travel costs?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Trump's golf and travel expenses significantly exceeded those of previous presidents. The data reveals several key cost figures:

• Trump's golf trips alone totaled $151.5 million during his first term ^[1]
• A single 5-day golf trip to Scotland was estimated to cost taxpayers $9.7 million ^[1]
• Trump made 62 visits to his golf courses during his presidency ^[2]
• His trips to Mar-a-Lago averaged $3.4 million per trip, with four early trips totaling $13.6 million ^[3]
• Some estimates suggest Mar-a-Lago trips cost nearly $800,000 per weekend ^[4]

Comparative context shows Trump's expenses were historically high. The Trump family took more trips requiring Secret Service protection than the Obama family did in seven years, averaging 1,625 protected trips per year ^[5]. The cost of protective travel for the Trump family exceeded $60 million in 2017 alone ^[5]. One analysis indicates that Trump's travel was more expensive than any other president in history due to the locations he chose ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual elements that emerge from the analyses:

• The dual nature of Trump's travel costs - his frequent visits to his own properties created taxpayer-funded advertising for his business interests ^[3], raising ethical concerns beyond mere cost comparisons
• Limited direct comparison data with other presidents - while the analyses mention that Trump's costs exceeded Obama's, specific dollar-for-dollar comparisons with other presidents' golf or recreational travel are largely absent
• The scale and frequency factor - Trump's travel pattern was unprecedented, with the Secret Service budget increasing massively to accommodate the Trump family's travel ^[5]
• Operational security costs - the analyses don't fully break down how much of the expense was due to security requirements versus the choice of destinations

Powerful interests that benefit from different narratives include:

• Trump Organization properties that received increased visibility and patronage from presidential visits
• Government watchdog organizations like CREW that gain attention and funding by highlighting excessive spending
• Political opponents who can use these figures to criticize fiscal responsibility

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral but omits the ethical dimension that emerges prominently in the analyses. By framing this purely as a cost comparison question, it fails to acknowledge the unprecedented nature of a president frequently visiting his own commercial properties ^{[3] [4]}.

The question also doesn't specify which "other presidential travel costs" to compare against - whether other presidents' recreational travel, official state visits, or general presidential travel expenses. This ambiguity could lead to misleading comparisons.

Additionally, the question doesn't account for the frequency and duration of Trump's trips, which the analyses show were 12 times more frequent than the Obama family's protected trips ^[5]. This context is crucial for understanding why the total costs were so high and represents a significant omission in framing the comparison.