In his first year in office, President Donald Trump spent more than 100 days vacationing at properties he owns, according to the Wall Street Journal.
While presidential travel is common, some ethics experts call this a conflict of interest. Visiting the properties could be viewed as a way to draw attention to the assets, thereby attracting more visitors and allowing Trump to earn a larger profit from them.
Of his vacation days, an estimated 40 were spent at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, and another 40 spent at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach, Florida, resort. In a financial disclosure form, it was found that he made $37.2M in revenue from Mar-a-Lago during a 16-month period ending in April 2017, while another $20M was earned from the Bedminster resort during the same period, the WSJ reports.
During his term, The Trump International Hotel in Washington and Mar-a-Lago — both of which are owned by The Trump Organization — have also raised their rates, the WSJ reports. Although his sons now manage the Trump Organization, the president retains ownership. Trump International is now 60% more expensive than it was before Trump’s inauguration, and Mar-a-Lago boasts an initiation fee that is double what it was previously.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)