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The Trump Organization reportedly charged Secret Service agents as much as five times over the average governmental rate for hotel stays while on protection details for former President Donald Trump and his family, with the bill coming to approximately $1.4 million, according to expense records newly obtained by Congress.
An investigation by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform said that despite claims by the Trump Organization that Secret Service agents traveling with Trump to Trump-owned properties stayed for free or at cost, the service was allegedly charged rates as high as $1,185 per room, per night, on dozens of trips.
During his presidency, Trump reportedly visited his properties 547 times, including 145 visits to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, while retaining ownership in his properties.
Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat, wrote a letter today to Kimberly Cheatle, director of the United States Secret Service, requesting compliance with the committee's investigation request. Maloney said members have "been seeking a full accounting of the Secret Service's expenditures at Trump Organization properties for more than two years" but still lack information.
"The exorbitant rates charged to the Secret Service and agents' frequent stays at Trump-owned properties raise significant concerns about the former President's self-dealing and may have resulted in a taxpayer-funded windfall for former President Trump's struggling businesses," Maloney wrote.
The committee initially requested documents on February 12, 2020, following reports that Trump's hotels, resorts and private clubs were charging the Secret Service "exorbitant rates" even though agents were legally required to protect the First Family.
The allegations contradict multiple statements made by Trump's son, Eric, who said on multiple occasions that Secret Service agents either stay at Trump Organization properties "for free" or are provided rooms "at cost."
"So everywhere that he goes, if he stays at one of his places, the government actually spends, meaning it saves a fortune because if they were to go to a hotel across the street, they'd be charging them $500 a night, whereas, you know we charge them, like $50," said Eric Trump, the Trump Organization's executive vice president, in 2019.
Documents obtained by the committee reported that in March 2017, the Trump Organization charged the Secret Service a nightly room rate of $1,160 for a stay at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., to provide security to Eric Trump, who was in town to promote a golf tournament.
While Eric Trump reportedly bragged that the "stars have all aligned" for the organization, and that the Trump "brand is the hottest it has ever been," the committee later learned that said hotel was losing millions of dollars. The hotel eventually lost over $70 million by the time Donald Trump exited the White House.
Other documents between January 20, 2017, through September 15, 2021, reportedly indicate that the Trump Organization charged the Secret Service a nightly rate in excess of the government per diem rate at least 40 times.
"In several instances, the rates charged were more than three times the per diem rate," Maloney said.
The committee has asked the Secret Service to identify all stays at properties owned, controlled or branded by the Trump Organization; and also wants the total amount paid by the Secret Service for each of those stays identified, along with the nightly rate. Additionally, the committee asked for all internal documents, communications, memoranda or analyses related to Secret Service payments of nightly rates in excess of the government employee per diem rate for any stay relative to Trump Organization properties.
Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, told Newsweek that the agency is reviewing the committee's letter and costs associated, will respond with whatever documentation is necessary by the October 31 deadline.
"It is absolutely necessary that the presidential detail is within hands touch of the protectee," he added.
In September New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a $250 million civil fraud lawsuit against Donald Trump and his three adult children, Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr. as part of their roles within the Trump Organization.
When contacted by Newsweek, Maloney's office declined to comment.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump Organization for comment.
Update 10/17/22, 2:34 p.m. ET: This story was updated with comments from the Secret Service.
About the writer
Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek investigative reporter based in Michigan. His focus includes U.S. and international politics and policies, immigration, ... Read more