posted on Aug, 24 2011 @ 05:42 PM
From the CRS Report For Congress
Presidential Travel: Policy and Costs
For security and other reasons, the President, Vice President, and First Lady use military aircraft when they travel.
The White House generally categorizes the trips as fulfilling either official or political functions.
Often, a trip involves both official and political, or unofficial, activities.
When a trip is for an official function, the government pays all costs, including per diem (food and lodging), car rentals, and other incidental
expenses.
When a trip is for political or unofficial purposes,
those involved must pay for their own food and lodging and other related expenses, and they
must also reimburse the government with the equivalent of the airfare that they would have paid had they used a commercial airline.
When a trip involves both official and political activities, a formula determines the amount to be reimbursed for that part of the trip involving
political activities. Whether a trip is for official or political purposes, the Air Force pays all operational and other costs incurred by the use of
the aircraft.
assets.opencrs.com...
So I'd say once again "The Daily Mail" has done some fictional math here.
Not looking to provoke any of the eager Obama Haters...just looking to respect the once meaningful motto "Deny Ignorance".
Carry on.....