Trump Tops Obama, Bush and Clinton in Golfing and Private Getaways So Far
After years of criticizing
former President Barack Obama for playing golf and going on private
getaways, President Trump has already done more of both in his first 81
days than Mr. Obama, as well as former Presidents George W. Bush and
Bill Clinton. Mr. Trump played golf again this past weekend, on Saturday
and Sunday.
He Has Spent 17 Days at a Golf Course
“I’m going to be working for you. I’m not going to have time to play golf.”
Mr. Trump at a Virginia campaign rally in 2016
Mr. Trump can be found at a Trump golf course on most weekends. Administration officials rarely confirm whether he actually played golf, forcing reporters to glean clues from photos posted on social media.
He’s played some golf at least 13 times, according to Mark Knoller, a White House correspondent for CBS News.
Mr. Obama played just once during his first 100
days, but went on to hit a total of 333 rounds during his two terms as
president, Mr. Knoller’s data shows.
The White House says Mr. Trump uses his time on
the green to foster relationships with world leaders and lawmakers.
However, the White House does not generally reveal whom he plays with.
Just because Mr. Trump is at a golf course, it
does not necessarily mean he’s playing golf, Sean Spicer, White House
press secretary, said in March, citing a “mini Cabinet” meeting at Mr.
Trump’s golf club in Virginia.
Trump Has Spent Half of His Weekends at Mar-a-Lago
“I would rarely leave the White House because there’s so much work to be done.”
Mr. Trump in an interview with The Hill in 2015
During their first 100 days, presidents often
spend several weekends away from the White House, usually splitting
their time between a private residence and Camp David, the official
presidential retreat near Thurmont, Md.
Mr. Trump has spent six of his 12 weekends as president flying to Mar-a-Lago,
his exclusive resort in Palm Beach, Fla., on Air Force One. He has not
traveled to Camp David, which is about a 30-minute ride on Marine One
from the White House and likely less expensive.
Mr. Spicer has dismissed criticism of Mr.
Trump’s frequent trips to Mar-a-Lago, noting Mr. Bush’s trips to his
ranch in Crawford, Tex. “The president, wherever he goes, he carries the
apparatus of the White House,” Mr. Spicer said.
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