When Donald Trump ran for president in 2016, he famously criticized then-President Barack Obama for playing too much golf and taking too many vacations. “If I’m elected, I won’t have time to play golf,” he declared at one rally. Yet, after taking office, Trump himself became one of the most frequent users of vacation time — or what he called “working vacations” — in modern presidential history.
So how many “holidays” or “vacation days” did Trump actually take during his four years in office? How does his record compare to other presidents? And what does it really mean for a U.S. president to “take a holiday”?
In this article, we’ll break down the numbers, provide historical context, and examine how presidential vacations fit into the broader expectations of the nation’s highest office.
Trump’s Campaign Promise on Vacations: No Time for Golf?
On the 2016 campaign trail, Trump often criticized Barack Obama for what he claimed was excessive leisure time. In 2014, he tweeted:
“Can you believe that, with all of the problems and difficulties facing the U.S., President Obama spent the day playing golf? Worse than Carter.”
He told voters he would hardly ever leave the White House if elected, claiming:
“I love working. I’d be working all the time. I won’t have time to play golf.”
Yet, just weeks into his presidency, Trump began spending weekends at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida — a tradition that would continue throughout his term. He often defended these trips as working weekends where he met with staff, consulted with advisers, or held diplomatic discussions.
Counting the Days: How Much Time Did Trump Spend Away?
Presidents do not receive vacation leave in the way private-sector employees do. Their responsibilities continue wherever they are, and they are accompanied by military aides, security, and communications teams. Still, there is a distinction between time spent at the White House and time spent at a personal property or designated vacation spot.
According to widely cited trackers maintained by FactCheck.org, TrumpGolfCount.com, the Washington Post, and NBC News, the numbers break down roughly as follows:
In total: 📌 381 days spent at Trump-branded properties over 4 years 📌 298 days that included golf outings
On average, Trump spent about 95 days per year away from the White House at his properties, with many trips to Mar-a-Lago (Florida), Trump National Golf Club (Virginia), and his Bedminster golf course (New Jersey).
How Does Trump Compare to Other Presidents?
Critics often claimed Trump took more leisure time than his predecessors. But the reality is more nuanced. Other presidents also spent significant time away from Washington:
PresidentAverage vacation days per yearGeorge W. Bush~120 (frequent trips to Texas ranch)Donald Trump~95 (at Trump properties)Ronald Reagan~80–100 (California ranch)Bill Clinton~30–40 (Martha’s Vineyard & Camp David)Barack Obama~38–45 (Hawaii, Martha’s Vineyard, Camp David)
George W. Bush still holds the modern record for the most days spent away from the White House, logging over 1,000 days at his Texas ranch over two terms — a pace even higher than Trump’s.
Are Presidential Vacations Really “Vacations”?
While the numbers can seem large, it’s important to understand that presidents are never truly “off duty.” Even while at Mar-a-Lago or Bedminster, Trump was accompanied by senior staff, secure communications equipment, and briefed daily on national security and policy matters.
Some notable events even took place during these trips:
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Hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago in 2017.
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Ordering the Syria missile strike in 2017 from Mar-a-Lago.
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Holding campaign strategy sessions with advisers at Bedminster in 2018.
Critics, however, argued that his frequent travel to his own properties raised ethical concerns and imposed significant taxpayer costs, especially in Secret Service overtime and logistics. A 2019 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report estimated that a single trip to Mar-a-Lago cost taxpayers several million dollars.
Why Did Trump Take So Many Trips?
Trump reportedly preferred his own properties to Camp David (the official presidential retreat) or the White House itself, citing comfort and familiarity. He once called Camp David “rustic” and not his style.
Supporters argued that his trips allowed him to escape the “bubble” of Washington and recharge while still working. Detractors saw it as hypocrisy, given his campaign promises and criticism of Obama.
Key Insights: What We Can Learn From Trump’s Presidential “Holidays”
Here are 10 key takeaways from Trump’s time away from the White House:
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Trump spent about 95–100 days per year at Trump properties.
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His total days away (381) exceeded Obama but fell short of George W. Bush.
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298 of those days involved playing golf, a hobby he once criticized.
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He defended these trips as working vacations, holding meetings and briefings.
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He avoided Camp David, preferring his luxury properties.
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His travel costs were unusually high because of private property security.
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Ethics experts raised concerns over conflicts of interest at his branded clubs.
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His supporters viewed his habits as a personal style rather than dereliction.
Historical Data: No Systematic Pattern
Looking at data across administrations, there’s no consistent correlation between a president being on vacation and poor market performance. Stocks rose during many of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago weekends and fell during some weeks he stayed in D.C. The same is true of his predecessors.
For example:
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In 2017, the S&P 500 gained ~19% despite Trump spending over 100 days at his properties.
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In 2018, stocks fell sharply due to Fed rate hikes and trade tensions — not his vacations.
Conclusion: Perception Versus Reality
Donald Trump’s presidential “holidays” and golf outings became a flashpoint in the partisan debate over his work ethic and use of taxpayer resources. While he did indeed spend more time away from the White House than some recent presidents, he fell short of George W. Bush’s record.
What made Trump’s time off controversial was the contrast with his campaign rhetoric and the fact that much of his travel benefited his own private businesses. That said, the notion that presidents can or should “never take time off” is both unrealistic and unwise. The job of U.S. president is unrelenting, and some level of downtime — or at least a change of scenery — is necessary to perform effectively.
Presidential vacations are less about leisure and more about how a leader balances personal preferences, the demands of office, and the expectations of the public. Trump’s approach may have been unconventional, but it underscores an important truth: even the most powerful person in the world is still human — and humans need breaks.
Disclaimer: I want to make it clear that I am not a financial advisor, and nothing I say is intended to be a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Additionally, it's important to remember that there are no guarantees or certainties in trading or investing, and you should never invest money that you can't afford to lose.
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