GAO: Trump’s early Mar-a-Lago trips cost $14 million

Four of President Trump’s trips to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., during the first three months of his presidency cost the federal government nearly $14 million, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

In the GAO report, federal analysts report that Trump’s travel and security costs for four trips to the Florida resort frequently dubbed the “winter White House” cost $10.6 million in use of government vehicles as well as $3 million spent on lodging and other costs for administration personnel who accompanied Trump on the trips.

{mosads}The White House did not immediately return a request for comment on the report. In the past, the White House has defended the president’s trips to his resorts and properties by stating that Trump continues working no matter where he is.

“The bottom line is the president is the president no matter where he goes, and he doesn’t get to control the level of costs and security that may come along with that,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in 2017 when questioned about the travel costs.

Trump’s trips to Mar-a-Lago in particular have been scrutinized due to the costs of securing the Florida location, which included necessary protection from numerous agencies, including the Coast Guard.

A report last year found that the president had incurred more than $20 million in costs for Coast Guard protection over the course of 69 days spent at Mar-a-Lago at the time.

Updated: 2:52 p.m.