Donald Trump is always keeping people on their toes. It’s hard to predict every move he’ll make.
And what Trump just told NBC about his incoming administration will leave you speechless.
President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed his decision to forgo the presidential salary, just like he did during his first term as president.
Speaking with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump made it clear that he intends to reject the annual compensation of roughly $450,000.
When asked directly if he planned to accept the salary, Trump responded, “I’m not going to accept a salary, no.”
The President-elect elaborated on his decision, saying, “I’m giving up a lot of money. You know? You know, it amazed me that, and maybe this isn’t right, but other than George Washington — and they’re not sure about that — every President has accepted their salary, except me.”
Welker pressed further, inquiring if Trump had accepted the presidential pension. He replied, “I don’t think I accepted anything.”
Trump reflected on his actions during his first term, explaining, “The President gets about $450,000 a year, and I didn’t take it,” while adding, “By the way, I got no credit for that. That’s ok.”
Welker acknowledged his decision, remarking, “Well, I am asking you about it for that reason, and I think it’s notable, you’re not going to accept a salary.”
Trump reiterated, “I didn’t, and I’m not going to, and I don’t believe I got any credit for that, but I just feel — it’s, for me, it’s a nice thing to do.”
He expressed surprise that other presidents had not made similar decisions, stating, “I was surprised, not one president has done that. I would have assumed Roosevelt would not accept the salary or Kennedy — you know, the Kennedy family is rich.”
AMAZING: President-elect Donald Trump announces he will REFUSE the presidential salary of $400,000.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 9, 2024
"I'm not gonna accept a salary, no."
"I didn't take it [the first time]. By the way, I got no credit for that, but that's okay."
"I didn't, and I'm not going to. I just feel… pic.twitter.com/bI7oLzPk15
During his first term, Trump made good on his campaign promise by donating his quarterly salaries to various government agencies and causes.
According to Breitbart News in 2017, his donations went to agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Education.
The following year, Trump contributed his third-quarter salary to a federal agency focused on alcoholism research, a cause close to him due to the struggles and untimely death of his older brother, Fred Trump Jr., who passed away at 43 from complications related to alcoholism.
In 2019, his first-quarter salary was donated to the Department of Homeland Security, while in 2020, he allocated one of his quarterly salaries to the National Park Service to “help repair and restore our GREAT National Monuments.”
While the press doesn’t like writing about it, nor do I need them to, I donate my yearly Presidential salary of $400,000.00 to different agencies throughout the year, this to Homeland Security. If I didn’t do it there would be hell to pay from the FAKE NEWS MEDIA! pic.twitter.com/xqIGUOwh4x
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2019
I promised YOU I would not take a dime of salary as your President. I donate the entire $400,000! It is my honor to give $100,000 to @NatlParkService to help repair and restore our GREAT National Monuments. So important to our American History! Thank You!! pic.twitter.com/4ETkUZ9yUf
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2020
Trump originally pledged to reject the presidential salary during his 2015 campaign and has consistently followed through on that promise. His decision to continue doing so highlights his ongoing commitment to this personal principle as he prepares to enter his second term in office.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
