Breaking Down the Costs of Trump's Super Bowl Trip for Taxpayers
On February 9, 2025, President Donald Trump became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl. His trip, which involved various security measures and transportation logistics, prompted many to estimate the cost to American taxpayers. While exact figures are difficult to determine, a breakdown of some key expenses provides a rough idea of what the trip might have cost.
Air Force One Transportation
Trump’s journey to and from the Super Bowl involved multiple flights on Air Force One. The president flew from Washington to his private residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, on February 7, and then from Mar-a-Lago to New Orleans on February 9, before returning to Washington. The total flight time for these trips was about 5 hours and 13 minutes. Based on Air Force data from 2022, Air Force One costs approximately $177,843 per hour to operate. This means the total cost for the flights was around $927,747.
Motorcade
Once in New Orleans, Trump traveled to the Super Bowl in a presidential motorcade. Although the exact cost per minute is difficult to determine due to the varying number of vehicles and the secretive nature of the operation, estimates suggest that the motorcade included at least 15 vehicles. A 27-minute ride to the Superdome, and another 27 minutes back to the airport, would have added to the overall cost, though no precise figures are available.
Secret Service and Security Costs
The U.S. president is typically accompanied by at least 80 Secret Service agents. The average salary for these agents is around $57,000 annually, or about $219 per day. For the Super Bowl trip, the minimum cost for Secret Service agents alone is estimated at $17,520.
Additionally, local law enforcement and federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ramped up their presence. DHS deployed more than 690 security personnel for the event, an increase from previous years. The cost of this extra security, as well as the equipment used for protection, is unknown but undoubtedly adds to the overall price tag.
Broader Security and Preparation
The level of security required for a presidential visit to a major event like the Super Bowl is extensive. Preparations began months in advance and included clearing streets, securing locations, and coordinating with local law enforcement. While the total cost of these operations is difficult to estimate, previous Super Bowl security operations, such as those for the 2024 Las Vegas game, saw the deployment of 385 DHS personnel. The increased presence for the 2025 event could be attributed to Trump’s attendance, but exact numbers for the added security are unavailable.
Other Factors
Trump was accompanied by a group of family members and senior officials, including Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and several Republican senators. The cost of their attendance and travel arrangements could also add to the overall expense, though it’s unclear whether these figures are included in the taxpayer-funded costs.
Additional indirect costs, such as disruptions to air traffic due to Trump’s travel and the broader security measures in place for his visit, are also difficult to quantify.
Final Estimate
Given the known costs and estimated figures for Air Force One transportation, Secret Service, and motorcade, the total cost of Trump’s Super Bowl trip for taxpayers is estimated to be at least $1.1 million. This estimate includes:
Air Force One flights: $927,747
Secret Service costs: $17,520
Motorcade and security personnel (estimated): $100,000–$200,000
Additional costs like broader security measures, law enforcement involvement, and other logistical factors could push the total closer to $2 million. However, these are rough estimates, as some factors, such as the increased security and preparation costs, are not publicly available.
While we have a rough idea of some of the expenses involved, the full cost of the president’s Super Bowl trip likely exceeds $1.1 million and could reach as high as $2 million or more, depending on various security and logistical factors. The true cost remains difficult to pinpoint due to the complexity and secrecy surrounding presidential operations.
