If the Trump administration won’t cough up the cash, Congresswoman Lois Frankel’s message is clear: the president should stay away from Palm Beach as much as possible. | Flickr South Florida congresswoman wants White House to pay Palm Beach for cost of Trump's weekend visits to Mar-A-Lago Frankel says Trump's trips to town taxing local police, airport in the millions of dollars.

Congresswoman Lois Frankel says President Donald Trump’s trips to his Mar-A-Lago estate have become “a financial burden” in Palm Beach County, and she wants the White House to pay up.

If the Trump administration won’t cough up the cash, Frankel’s message is clear: the president should stay away from Palm Beach as much as possible.


“If compensation is not assured of being forthcoming, we respectfully ask that you curtail your visits until such time as that matter is resolved favorably to our area,” writes Frankel in her letter to Trump, whose Mar-A-Lago estate lies in her congressional district.

The Democratic lawmaker held a news conference Monday in West Palm Beach to tally the Trump tab for police and local fire-rescue services, and dwindling revenue at the local airport. She detailed the bill in a letter to Trump signed by Democratic U.S. Reps. Alcee Hastings and Ted Deutch.

Here's a breakdown of the cost whenever Trump comes to town, according to Frankel:



The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Rescue have spent about $70,000 in overtime and more than $1.7 million to date. The county expects to pony up as much as $5.8 million by year's end.

The expected cost locally for the upcoming visit of the Chinese delegation at Mar-A-Lago is pegged at $280,000.

The city of West Palm Beach has paid $60,000 in police overtime to patrol the many pro and anti-Trump protests.

Stellar Aviation, the company that manages the Palm Beach County Airport, also known as Lantana Airport, reports losing $170,000 so far because of flight restrictions imposed by the feds whenever Trump visits. Other companies at the airport report they have collectively lost about $720,000 to date.

“We write to ask your assistance in alleviating the financial burden being shouldered by Palm Beach County, the City of West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach County businesses as a result of your repeated visits to your Mar-A-Lago estate,” wrote Frankel.

“During your campaign and presidency, you vowed to make jobs more plentiful and government less wasteful,” added Frankel. “We sincerely request that you lead by example.”