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Trump Doesn't Like 'Taxpayer Funded' Russia Probe. What About All His Costly Golf Trips?

There's one easy way to cut down on government spending.
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By 

Senior Politics Reporter, HuffPost

President Donald Trump dismissed the Senate’s investigation of Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, calling Monday’s blockbuster hearing on the matter a “total hoax” and a “taxpayer funded charade.”

Setting aside Trump’s refusal to acknowledge Russia’s meddling in the election ― despite statements to the contrary from many Republican senators and the intelligence community ― there is a simple way to address the president’s concern about proper use of taxpayer funds. Trump could, for example, be more judicious about how he spends his time on the weekends.

Last weekend marked the 14th consecutive weekend the president visited a Trump-branded property since his inauguration. It was also the eighth weekend he has spent away from the nation’s capital. If he is truly concerned about waste, Trump could save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars by staying put and enjoying Washington’s golf courses like his predecessors.  

Trump on Friday defended his latest trip to his estate in New Jersey, maintaining he wanted to save the country money by staying there instead of New York City, where he met with the Australian ambassador. While the White House declined to state whether Trump was golfing, someone posted a picture on Instagram Saturday afternoon showing Trump hitting the links once more.

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Before You Go

Donald Trump Loves Signing Things
(01 of12)
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With few legislative accomplishments under his belt, President Donald Trump has repeatedly turned to executive orders ― a tool once maligned by Republicans ― to undo much of former President Barack Obama’s regulatory legacy. While some have been consequential ― like approving the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline ― many of Trump’s orders have been symbolic, like one minimizing the “burden” of Obamacare regulations.

Trump appears to enjoy the act of signing executive orders and bills more than any of his recent predecessors. While other presidents have also ceremoniously signed documents, Trump regularly holds up his work for photo opportunities. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(02 of12)
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Trump signs an executive order entitled "Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch" on March 13, 2017. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(03 of12)
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Trump shows the signed executive order supporting black colleges and universities in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 28, 2017. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(04 of12)
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Trump, flanked by business leaders, signs an executive order establishing regulatory reform officers and task forces in U.S. agencies on Feb. 24, 2017. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(05 of12)
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Trump holds up a signed executive order entitled "Preventing Violence Against Federal, State, Tribal and Local Law Enforcement Officers" in the Oval Office on Feb. 9, 2017. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(06 of12)
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Trump signs executive orders, including one to roll back financial regulations of the Obama era, on Feb. 3, 2017. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(07 of12)
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Trump holds up signed executive orders in the Hall of Heroes at the Department of Defense in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 27, 2017. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(08 of12)
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Trump holds up a signed executive order at the Department of Homeland Security on Jan. 25, 2017. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(09 of12)
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Trump displays one of five executive orders he signed related to the oil pipeline industry for a photograph in the Oval Office on Jan. 24, 2017. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(10 of12)
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Trump holds an executive order titled "Mexico City Policy," which bans federal funds going to overseas organizations that perform abortions, on Jan. 23, 2017. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(11 of12)
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Trump has also gotten the opportunity to sign several bills into law that revoked a number of Obama-era regulatory measures. In March, Trump he signed H.J. Res 37, which rescinded a rule requiring prospective federal contractors to disclose their labor violations, during a ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(12 of12)
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Trump signed a bill authorizing funding for NASA in a bill signing ceremony as NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson (4th L) and legislators including Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) (L), and Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) (2nd L) looked on in the Oval Office. (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
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