Trump Extends Secret Service Protection For Adult Children At Last Minute, Likely Costing Taxpayers Millions

Topline

Former President Donald Trump opted to extend Secret Service protection for his adult children in one of the final acts of his presidency, according to multiple reports, in a last-minute move that will likely cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Key Facts

Key Background

The Secret Service security will be free for the Trumps, with taxpayers footing the bill, but paying a similar price for private security would have likely been a tough financial burden, even for the wealthy Trump family. A 2019 Forbes analysis of Trump family wealth found Donald Trump’s children had amassed far less wealth than their father so far. The wealthiest by far was Ivanka, who had a combined net worth along with husband Jared Kushner of $375 million. Trailing far behind were Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, both with estimated net worths of $25 million, while Tiffany Trump didn’t seem to have much wealth at all. Donald Trump’s estimated net worth as he left office was $2.5 billion.

Surprising Fact

A president opting to extend Secret Service protection isn’t unheard of, but Trump’s reported decision to cover 13 family members goes far beyond what has been done before. Trump’s three predecessors—Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton—extended protection for their daughters after leaving office.

Tangent

In addition to the numerous trips the Trumps take (12 times that of the Obamas during the first three years of Trump’s term, according to a 2020 watchdog report), other out of the ordinary expenses for the Secret Service have come while protecting the Trumps. According to The Washington Post, the Secret Service rented a studio for $3,000 a month near Ivanka Trump and Kushner’s Washington home to give agents access to a bathroom, given they were not allowed to relieve themselves in any of the home’s half-dozen bathrooms.

Further Reading

Trump extended Secret Service protection for 13 members of his family as he left office (The Washington Post)

Here’s How Much Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka Trump Are Worth (Forbes)

The $3,000-a-month toilet for the Ivanka Trump/Jared Kushner Secret Service detail (The Washington Post)