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President Donald Trump has begun his 17-day working golf holiday, prompting a mocking remark from Mexico's former president.

The US leader is taking nearly three weeks away from the capital with a “working vacation” which started on Saturday.

It comes after a rocky first six months in office, including a string of firings of top White House staff and the ongoing Russia probe.

Former Mexican president Vicente Fox was among those mocking the US leader.

The ex-world leader, who has frequently slammed Trump, wrote in a tweet: "Leaving on vacation, huh? What for? If you're not happy with your job, just leave. After all, it was never for you."

President Trump's long holiday has caused some eyebrows to be raised, after his past criticism of Barack Obama's holiday.

In August 2011 the billionaire businessman tweeted: “@BarackObama played golf yesterday. Now he heads to a 10 day vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. Nice worth ethic.”

So far, Trump has spent 13 of 28 weekends in office away from the White House, mostly at his properties in Palm Beach, Florida, or in Bedminster, New Jersey, according to an Associated Press count.

The figures include a weekend during official travel overseas, and Father's Day weekend at Camp David, the government-owned presidential retreat in Maryland.

President Trump left Washington on Friday for the trip to his private golf club in central New Jersey with daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who are both his senior advisers.

He was also joined by his new chief of staff, John Kelly.

An official said Trump's plans for Bedminster included meetings with aides and lawmakers.

The White House did not answer questions about whether Trump was golfing on a day that started out overcast, but grew sunny in the afternoon.

The 17 days out of the West Wing is also being used to carry out repair work to the building's heating and cooling system while it is empty.

Additional reporting by Press Association.