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

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.
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Road trip: New England’s maple syrup season
Feature New England is serving up maple syrup in delicious and unexpected ways
By The Week US Published
-
Music Reviews: Mdou Moctar, Panda Bear, and Tate McRae
Feature “Tears of Injustice,” “Sinister Grift,” and “So Close to What”
By The Week US Published
-
What's at stake in the Mahmoud Khalil deportation fight?
Talking Points Vague accusations and First Amendment concerns
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Why is a new Air Force One taking so long to build?
The Explainer Trump may look for alternatives for his new plane
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump hawks Teslas, slashes more federal jobs
Speed Read The Education Department cut its workforce in half ahead of an expected Trump order to shutter the agency
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine agrees to ceasefire, ending US aid freeze
Speed Read Kyiv made peace with the Trump administration by agreeing to an immediate ceasefire in its war against Russian invaders
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Greenland's surprising election result
The Explainer Unexpected success for Demokraatit after a campaign overshadowed by Trump's threats
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Budget: Will the GOP cut entitlements?
Feature Republicans are pushing for a budget to cut Medicaid
By The Week US Published
-
U.S. tariffs spark North American trade war
Feature Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China lead to market turmoil and growing inflation concerns
By The Week US Published
-
The fallout of Trump's halt on military aid for Ukraine
Feature European leaders push for a cease-fire to mend U.S.-Ukraine ties
By The Week US Published
-
Media: A collective surrender to Trump?
Feature The Washington Post’s staff are instructed to focus its opinion pages on promoting 'personal liberties' and 'free markets'
By The Week US Published