On May 4, President Donald Trump will return to New York City for the first time since becoming President—and the reason why he's been such a stranger is that he's just really feels bad about the stress it puts on the Big Apple.
Trump discussed the massive security measures around Trump Tower, aka White House North, during an interview with Fox News: "President Donald Trump says he hasn’t returned to his New York City home because 'going back is very expensive for the country.' .... he feels 'guilty' when he returns to Trump Tower because authorities close surrounding streets and 'I hate to see the New Yorkers with streets closed.' He says he goes to his clubs instead because they have 'hundreds of acres' and streets stay open."
In Bedminster, NJ, where the 600-acre Trump National Golf Course may become "Camp David North," some residents are also worried about security costs.
Still, First Lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump reside at the Trump Tower triplex—and will for at least a couple more months—and that's been costing NYC a lot. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said it costs about $127,000 and $145,000 per day to secure Trump Tower for the First Lady and Barron Trump, and then when the President is in NYC, that number jumps to $308,000 a day.
NYPD outside Trump Tower (Getty Images)
New York lawmakers have asked Congress to reimburse the city for securing Trump Tower, but that money still hasn't come in. Mayor Bill de Blasio said during his budget presentation on Wednesday, "The continuing resolution will hopefully address, at minimum, the period between the election and the inaugural"—which cost $25 million, per Commissioner O'Neill's estimate.
"We believe this is an absolute federal responsibility, and, I have to say, I’m pleased, having talked to a number of Republicans in the Congress - I haven’t talked to every one of them, to say the least - but the ones I’ve talked to - no one disagrees in principle that this is the kind of thing the federal government should cover. So, we’re going to remain at least mostly hopeful," de Blasio added.
