US senators want probe into Trump’s ‘$1m visit’
US senators are demanding an investigation into Donald Trump’s visit to Turnberry amid claims it cost American taxpayers more than a million dollars.
President Trump spent the weekend at his luxury golf resort before last month’s Finland summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
He landed at Prestwick Airport for a private golf holiday at Trump Turnberry with his wife, Melania, and dozens of business contacts following talks with Prime Minister Theresa May.
But now the Ayrshire resort is at the centre of a political row in the
‘Waste, fraud, or abuse’
as Democrat politicians Tom Carper, Elizabeth Warren and Elijah Cummings are demanding an official investigation into the cost of the stay to the US taxpayer.
They have sent a letter to the US Department of Homeland Security asking for information on taxpayerfunded travel and security during the visit.
The letter reads: ‘During his stay at Trump Turnberry, the President made no public appearances and played two rounds of golf.
‘Reporting thus far suggests that this cost American taxpayers over $68,000 (£52,000) for hotel rooms, phone lines, rental cars and a “VIP visit”. The trip’s total price tag is reportedly set to increase further, up to $1.2million (£920,000), with payments to Trump Turnberry potentially exceeding $100,000, when costs are assigned to two remaining open contracts that the US Government owes SLC Turnberry Limited, the company that owns the resort.’
It adds: ‘In order to fulfil our responsibility to ensure the sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars and better understand any instances of waste, fraud or abuse associated with the President’s stay in Scotland, we request that you conduct an investigation.’
A Democrat bill introduced last year seeks to bar government spending at properties owned by President Trump or other officials. The Hotel Act – Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating and Lodging – would ban government staff from staying at a Trump property.