Moving the commander-in-chief from one place to another is a complex and expensive undertaking, particularly during an election year when the president is seeking a second term. President Joe Biden’s recent three-day trip to Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state in the 2024 campaign, is just one example of the extensive travel that comes with the job. In the coming weeks, he’ll also visit Virginia and Florida as he ramps up his efforts to gain an edge over potential Republican challenger Donald Trump.
The cost of these presidential journeys is substantial. Marine One, the Sikorsky helicopters used to transport the president, costs between $16,700 and $20,000 per hour to operate. Air Force One, the iconic Boeing 747s, is even more expensive, with an hourly operating cost of roughly $200,000. But those figures only scratch the surface. Additional military cargo planes are required to transport the president’s armored limousines, and an extensive security apparatus follows the president everywhere he goes.
To ensure a smooth and secure journey, new aircraft are in development. Sikorsky is producing updated helicopters to serve as Marine One, while Boeing is building two new Air Force One planes scheduled to be completed by 2028. These aircraft will come equipped with advanced features such as enhanced communication systems, self-defense capabilities, and even automated baggage loading.
During campaign season, the campaign is expected to cover the costs associated with presidential travel for political purposes. However, the line between governing and campaigning can be模糊 in an election year. For instance, on a recent trip to Pittsburgh, President Biden announced his proposal for higher tariffs on steel imported from China. While this was an official event, it also provided an opportunity for the president to connect with union members, a crucial voting bloc for his reelection bid.
The White House counsel’s office is responsible for determining the percentage of presidential travel that is campaign-related, which then determines the amount the federal government should be reimbursed by the Biden campaign. These calculations can be complex, especially when official events are added to otherwise political trips.
Regardless of the allocation, taxpayers ultimately bear the majority of the cost. Campaigns do not cover the expenses of Secret Service agents or the rest of the security apparatus. Instead, they typically only reimburse the cost of Air Force One passengers who are traveling for explicitly political purposes.
President Biden’s campaign has been preparing for these travel expenses by stockpiling cash in an escrow account managed by the Democratic National Committee. From January 2023 to the end of last month, nearly $6.5 million was deposited into this account. These funds cover general campaign logistics and are also used to reimburse the federal government for official aircraft used by the president and his immediate family when traveling for campaign purposes.
To date, only $300,000 has been paid back to the U.S. Treasury. However, it’s likely that Biden’s campaign will end up reimbursing a significantly larger amount once the campaign concludes. In the 2020 race, Trump’s campaign reimbursed the federal government nearly $4.7 million for travel expenses.
Despite the significant costs, President Biden is unlikely to face any financial constraints in covering his campaign travel expenses. His campaign and the DNC had more than $192 million in cash on hand at the end of March.
