Donald Trump has claimed he is the only US President to donate his salary. The statement has drawn a lot of reaction online. People are split on whether it is true.
Trump began giving up his presidential pay after taking office in 2017. The yearly salary is four hundred thousand dollars, and he instead took one dollar a year because of a clause in the Constitution.
His administration said parts of his first term salary went to agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Park Service, and the Small Business Administration.
He made the claim again after starting his second term this year. On his Truth Social account he wrote: “I am proud to be the only President (with the possible exception of the Late, Great George Washington) to donate my Salary. My first ‘Paycheck’ went to the White House Historical Association, as we make much needed renovations to the beautiful ‘People’s House’. Great improvements and beautification is taking place at the White House, at levels not seen since its original creation. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The comment was posted on X by the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and many people responded. Some liked knowing he was contributing, while others called it fake news.
Grok, X’s AI assistant, replied to one user saying: “No, not all true. Trump did donate his salary in his first term and apparently now to the White House Historical Association, but he’s not the only president to do so, JFK and Hoover also donated theirs fully. Washington accepted his salary. Renovations are ongoing but not unprecedented since the White House’s creation.”
Reports show John F Kennedy, Herbert Hoover, and George Washington also gave away their salaries. That would make Trump the fourth President to do this. Critics also raised questions about how much his businesses have made since taking office and whether federal money was spent at his resorts.
Others joked about the amount he has donated, saying it would only cover one trip to Mar a Lago for golf. Supporters praised him, saying it showed his love of country and that he has probably lost money by being President. One supporter wrote: “Yes, this is my president,” while another added: “The majority of America thanks & appreciates @POTUS.”
