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Obama Travel Total Now Tops $105 Million

Barack Obama
Getty Images
September 15, 2017

The taxpayer tab for former President Barack Obama's travel during two terms in office keeps climbing, according to new records obtained by Judicial Watch.

The conservative foundation announced Thursday that the total for security, airfare, hotels, and motorcades for the Obamas’ trips stands at $105,662,975.27.

Judicial Watch received additional documentation of costs from Freedom of Information Act lawsuits the group filed against the Department of Homeland Security. The tab for the trips has increased more than $5 million since the group reported on Obama's travel costs in May.

New documents reveal Obama's campaign rally with failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton cost over $271,000. The rally in Florida just before Clinton lost the election cost $150,530.99 for hotels; $103,526.96 for airfare and train tickets; $11,588.76 for car rentals; and $5,829 for equipment.

Michelle Obama also appeared at a rally in North Carolina with Clinton, though her appearance cost much cheaper at $26,502.

Judicial Watch also received documents regarding Clinton's Secret Service protection for three weeks on the campaign trail in 2015. Between April 11 and May 6, 2015, car rentals, airfare, and travel vouchers for security cost $350,237.

Judicial Watch is also keeping track of President Donald Trump's travel costs, which stand at $4,082,427.71. The majority of costs stem from Trump's trips to Mar-a-Lago in February and March, which cost over $3.6 million.

Obama spent $13,207,871.88 per year, according to Judicial Watch's total documentation received thus far.

"It is troubling to see such massive amounts of money paid out for trips that appear to have minimal value to the public interest," said Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton. "And it is frustrating to have to file multiple FOIA lawsuits and engage in long-running court battles to get basic information about the costs of presidential travel."