Donald Trump played golf for the fourth time during his Mar-a-Lago stay as his schedule read he was working ‘tirelessly for the American people.’
The recently defeated president arrived at his golf club this morning for time on the links after caving in and signing a $900 billion legislative package that funds the government and provides COVID relief to those suffering during the pandemic.
He’s visited his Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach for four out of the five days he’s been in Florida.
Remember when Trump tweeted this in August, 2016:
“If I win I may never see my property — I may never see these places again. But because I’m going to be working for you, I’m not going to have time to go golfing, believe me. Believe me. Believe me, folks.”
Don’t believe him.
Between 2011 and 2016, Trump tweeted at least 27 complaints, jokes, or scoldings about Barack Obama playing golf while president.
Like this one where he complained: “We pay for Obama’s travel so he can fundraise millions so Democrats can run on lies. Then we pay for his golf.”
We pay for Obama’s travel so he can fundraise millions so Democrats can run on lies. Then we pay for his golf.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2014
Today, Trump is golfing while issues regarding the coronavirus, defense spending, the Nashville bombing, record deficits, high unemployment and other issues rage on.
Back then, Trump suggested a president is too busy to golf:
Can you believe that,with all of the problems and difficulties facing the U.S., President Obama spent the day playing golf.Worse than Carter
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2014
And he mocked Obama for golfing:
President Obama played golf yesterday???
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2013
Then he suggested Obama do this:
Obama should play golf with Republicans & opponents rather than his small group of friends. That way maybe the terrible gridlock would end.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 19, 2012
If only Trump would listen to Trump.
He also ridiculed Obama’s golf and vacation time:
@BarackObama played golf yesterday. Now he heads to a 10 day vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. Nice work ethic.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2011
For the record, Trump has golfed and vacationed more than any other president.
As of today, Trump has spent more time on the golf course in three and a half years as Obama did in eight.
Since taking office on Jan. 20, 2017, Trump has been on the grounds of his golf courses or played golf elsewhere 306 times since becoming President.
The cost of Trump’s golf rounds to the American taxpayer varies by round and course, but it has totaled so far in the tens of millions of dollars.
The Secret Service has spent at least $550,000 in third-party golf cart rentals and over $500,000 to stay overnight at Trump-owned properties, including his New Jersey country club.
The presidency is an overwhelmingly difficult job, and the office-holder is certainly entitled to a handful of hours every week to take a load off.
However, Trump was particularly critical of how many rounds Obama played in office, and so now he looks completely hypocritical in retrospect.