But Who’s Counting?

Editor, Times-Union:
According to Treasury Department data, the Trump administration has already spent $155 billion more than former President Joe Biden did over the same period of time after their inaugurations.
Some of the expenses reported include $1 billion for the now-doubled-in-size golden ballroom that Trump insists our country has wanted and needed for 150 years; $13 million to make the historic Reflecting Pool look like a Florida swimming pool; $100 million to build the tallest arch of triumph(?) in the world (Trump says it is to honor “me”); $10 billion Trump is suing the IRS for “leaking” his tax information during his first term (breaking news: Trump may now settle for less and give his winnings away to convicted felons and terrorists); $148+ million spent on Trump’s golf outings to date (22.4% of his presidency as of May 11, 2026); an estimated $29 billion so far for his war of choice with Iran; an estimated $934 million to renovate the luxury jet given to Trump by Qatar; two Boeing jets still being built to replace Air Force One in mid-2028 with a final estimated cost of $5.6-6 billion; countless thousands — if not millions — spent cheapening the entire interior of the White House (our house) with gold spray-painted “fun house” plastic junk. You do the math.
Are you wondering where all of this money is coming from? Wonder no longer. ... we taxpayers are footing the bills! Administration officials have reported that taxpayer funds in the billions of dollars have been directed towards projects designed to keep the president personally content and aimed at the personal satisfaction and self-aggrandizement of Donald Trump as he takes over and converts our nation’s capital into “Trump Land.” As a result and at this point in time, we now owe $114,136 per person since the national debt has risen to $39.91 trillion! Are you better off?
But wait. The administration did cut some spending. Reuters reports these cuts in spending in Trump’s second term: National Institute of Health, $746 million; USAID, $3 billion; federal employee insurance, $6.8 billion; HHS State payments, $2.1 billion; Department of Education. $10.8 billion; Department of State, $1.6 billion; Postal Service, $746 million; Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., $816 million. (All of these and more as of May, 2025) Source: U.S. Treasury Department.
On a “closer to home” perspective, food assistance (SNAP) monthly benefits to 42+ million people (70% being elderly, disabled and children) was cut by $186 billion through 2034. Health care programs were also cut by $1 trillion (the biggest cut in Medicaid in history).
Recent negative impacts of Trump’s war with Iran include skyrocketing food and gas prices — with no relief in sight. So there’s that too. But who’s counting?
Jeanne Tuka Schutz
Winona Lake, via email