President Obama’s travel expenses cost taxpayers more than $96 million during his time in office, according to a report from the watchdog group Judicial Watch.
The group obtained documents from the Secret Service and Air Force that revealed President Obama’s travel over the last eight years totaled $96,938,882.51.
President Obama’s trip to the Florida Everglades on Earth Day in 2015 to give a speech about global warming cost a total of $1,012,367.76. While the speech was touted as an opportunity to talk about global warming, the president used the trip to attack Republican presidential candidates.
Later in 2015, President Obama traveled to San Diego where he spent time at the luxurious Rancho Sante Fe resort, which boasts a private golf course. This fundraising trip cost taxpayers $2,181,655.99.
Michelle Obama took her daughters to ski in Aspen in February 2016, spending $222,875.58 in travel costs alone. This did not include costs for accommodations, meals, rental cars, ski lift tickets, or attendant costs for U.S. Secret Service personnel.
The First Lady also took her daughters to Morocco, Spain, and Liberia in June, exotic trips that cost taxpayers $450,026 in flight expenses alone.
President Obama took a vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, spending $450,295 on flights. His trips to Cuba and Argentina cost taxpayers $7,146,015.18. Finally, President Obama’s recent visit to North Carolina to campaign with Hillary Clinton cost taxpayers $360,236.
“The Obamas’ notorious abuse of presidential travel perks wasted military resources and stressed the Secret Service,” said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch. “Judicial Watch estimates that the final costs of Obama’s unnecessary vacation and political travel will well exceed $100 million. President-elect Trump can immediately save taxpayers money by reforming presidential travel.”
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
