Trump says he 'couldn't care less' that being president is 'costing me from $3 to $5 billion'

After declaring he "couldn't care less" that the presidency is "costing me a fortune," President Trump went on to complain at length about the billions of dollars he claims to be losing because of the job.

Trump visited the Shell Petrochemical plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, and spoke to hundreds of factory employees who were paid by Shell to attend the event, The Associated Press reports. Although this was an official White House event, Trump spent a good chunk of time insulting the media and 2020 presidential candidates like former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). He also took credit for the building of the plant, despite its construction being announced in 2012.

Trump went on to lament that "this thing is costing me a fortune, being president. Somebody said, 'Oh, he might have rented a room to a man from Saudi Arabia for $500.' What about the $5 billion that I'll lose?" Trump was referring to people arguing that the Constitution's emoluments clause prohibits his businesses from accepting payments made by foreign governments.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

He added that he has to spend a lot of money on lawyers "cause everyday they sue me for something," and "it's probably costing me from $3 to $5 billion for the privilege of being — and I couldn't care less — I don't care. You know if you're wealthy, it doesn't matter. I just want to do a great job." Trump has not released his tax returns, so his exact net worth is unknown.