Eagle-eyed visitors returning to the TrumpGolfCount website will probably notice that there has been a dramatic drop in the "Cost to taxpayers" estimate displayed on the front page (from $92 million to $42 million as of December 23, 2017). This is especially embarrassing, since the higher cost had been shared widely online, and even quoted by the mainstream media. Ugh. Admitting you're wrong is not fun!

What Happened?

So what happened? On December 20, 2017, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent figures to Congress detailing its reimbursements to state and local governments for "extraordinary law enforcement personnel costs incurred while protecting any nongovernmental residence of the President" during FY 2017. FEMA also posted a breakdown of these costs on its website. By the way, I have no idea why FEMA is paying for Presidential security.

It's Melania's Fault

Originally, Congress had allocated $60 million per year for these costs. I, foolishly making the assumption that the money would all go to Florida and New Jersey for golf-related costs, included $60 million per year in the site's cost estimates. Imagine my chagrin when I looked at FEMA's breakdown and realized that nearly 90% of the funds ended up going to New York City (presumably to protect Trump Tower while Melania and Barron stayed there). Once you remove Melania's portion, golf-related security costs are only $6.4 million per year and the estimated TGC cost of Trump's golf habit falls to less than half its value. You can view the current breakdown of the total cost by clicking the "breakdown" link at the top of our main page.

In the end, the most important thing will always be to keep the facts "real". I'm grateful to have had this opportunity to demonstrate that when I am wrong, you can count on me to admit it. I appreciate all your kind feedback about TrumpGolfCount and will continue to track and report honestly.

Live long and prosper!