Trump has been in the news in the past few days with reports saying he has discussed the idea of the US buying the autonomous Danish island of Greenland in the North Atlantic – not as a holiday destination but as a “large real estate deal”.

Aside from having to work on the beach, presidents have several perks that lift any financial burden from their shoulders. 

US law requires a US president to be paid a salary while in office. According to Title 3 of the US code, a president earns a US$400,000 salary and is still on the government payroll after leaving office.

The president is also granted a US$50,000 annual expense account, US$100,000 non-taxable travel account, and US$19,000 for entertainment.

While sitting presidents and former presidents receive several perks that last beyond their time in office, such as security and health insurance, clothing budgets are not included.

Presidents and their families usually do not receive or accept clothing as a “gift” from designers, such as celebrities on the red carpet. If a garment is accepted as a gift, it is immediately housed in the National Archives after being worn.

Aside from a prestigious title and global recognition, check out the financial perks that come with being the most powerful person in the US (and quite possibly, the world).

1. Presidents receive a six-figure salary

Congress raised the presidential salary from US$200,000 to US$400,000 in 2001 (plus an extra expense allowance of US$50,000 a year). For current US President Trump, that is a huge decrease from his usual income – he is worth US$3.1 billion, according to Forbes magazine

The president also receives a travel budget of US$100,000 and a US$19,000 allowance for entertainment. While a presidential salary is taxable, the other bonus benefits are not, according to the US tax code. 

2. Presidents get to live in the luxurious White House

The White House has housed US presidents since 1792. The estate has six floors and 132 rooms, including a bowling alley and chocolate store. One of the rooms is a fully equipped fitness centre with a tennis court and swimming pool.

3. Presidents get US$100,000 to redecorate the White House

Presidents and their families are given US$100,000 to redecorate the White House so they feel more at home.

The Obamas did not accept the allowance to redecorate and used their own funds instead, according to Candace Keener on the infotainment website HowStuffWorks’ podcast Stuff You Missed In History Class.

NBC News reported that Trump's administration spent US$1.75 million on new furniture, wall coverings, and a desk, though it is unclear if Trump paid out of his own pocket.

4. Presidents have access to the White House garden’s fresh fruits and vegetables

Former US first lady Michelle Obama started work on the White House garden during her husband's presidency. Current first lady Melania Trump has continued Obama's work and the tradition of inviting schoolchildren to the grounds, according to CNN. Today, the garden's fruits and vegetables regularly appear on the White House menu.

5. On-hand cooks and housekeepers help out around the house

The White House is also home to nearly 100 permanent staff including maids, cooks, a head housekeeper, plumber and florist, according to GoBankingRates. The upkeep alone costs US$4 million a year, according to Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast.

However, the first family does not get all these costs covered. According to former first lady Laura Bush, the president is billed at the end of every month for the hourly pay for waiters and clean-up crew used for private parties, among other expenses.

6. Presidents get to watch films at home

Franklin Roosevelt converted a room in the White House into a tiered cinema with 51 seats.

The first film shown during Trump's administration was the Disney cartoon, Finding Dory. The cinema is now open to East Wing tours thanks to Melania Trump's direction in 2017, according to a White House statement.

7. The president also has access to an official country home

If a US president wants a break from one fancy address, he can go to another. The country home Camp David is located in the Catoctin Mountain Park in Frederick County, in the mid-Atlantic state of Maryland. The property is fully equipped with a gym, swimming pool and aircraft hangar. It has been the presidential retreat since the 1930s.

8. The president has full access to Air Force One

The customised Boeing 747-200B reserved for the president is highly sophisticated. The plane has 4,000 square feet (370 square metres) of space, a medical operating room, private quarters for the president and the capacity to feed 100 people at a time. CNN reported that it costs about US$200,000 an hour to operate Air Force One.

9. The president also has access to a smaller helicopter, Marine One

The helicopter Marine One follows the president wherever he goes. It can operate rescue missions and cruise at more than 150 miles per hour even if one engine fails. It is also reportedly armed with anti-missile systems and ballistic armour.

10. The president is fully protected at all times, even in retirement

Members of the US Secret Service are always close by protecting serving US presidents and their families, but the protection they offer does not end after a president leaves the White House.

Retired presidents receive the perk for life and their children are protected until the age of 16. In 2017, the Secret Service's budget was US$1.9 billion, according to US Homeland Security.

11. US president rides in a fleet of armoured cars, called ‘The Beasts’

Whenever the president travels by car, he travels in bullet- and bombproof luxury.

The Beasts, as they are known, are a fleet of cars designed and constantly manned by the Secret Service. The cars are built to withstand targeted attacks, but they will not win a road race. They weigh as much as a tank and manage only 5 miles per gallon (2km per litre), according to the financial services website, GoBankingRates.

12. President’s visitors stay at 60,000-square-foot guest house

Being the guest of the president has its perks, too, including an entire guest house that is reserved for you. Blair House accommodates heads of state and other dignitaries when visiting the US. The property includes four town houses with 120 rooms and 18 full-time staff.

13. Former presidents also get a holiday budget

Presidential perks last beyond a four-year or eight-year term in office. The General Services Administration is required to provide a former president enough money to cover travel and business expenses.

Congress presented then-US President Barack Obama with legislation that would cap that spending at US$200,000 per year, but he vetoed the bill in 2016, according to the White House.

14. Presidents get access to premier health insurance

While serving a term, a White House doctor is always on call and medical staff accompany the president at all times.

The White House has its own medical clinic with examination rooms, medical equipment and military doctors on staff, according to the Los Angeles Times.

If a president serves five or more years of federal service, they receive priority health benefits and use of veterans hospitals. If eligible and interested in taking up the service, 75 per cent of presidential health care is covered by taxpayers and bought through the Washington Obamacare exchange, according to the LA Times.

15. Presidents get good pensions

The Former President Act determines how much compensation a president will receive after leaving the White House.

In 2016, former US presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton received annual pensions of US$205,700.

In 2017, Obama received US$207,800, according to GoBankingRates.

While presidential pensions are fixed rates, presidents can ask for additional funds from Congress to cover things such as staff salaries and office space. For example, George W. Bush received US$1,098,000 for office space in 2015 – the most of any former president that year.

16. The White House covers the cost of transition from one administration to another

Transitioning one administration to the next is costly.

A president's administration transition costs are covered up to six months after taking office. This includes office space, staff compensation, communication services and postage associated with transitioning, according to the Center for Presidential Transition.

Obama’s 2008 transition into office cost about US$9.3 million.

17. Presidents and their immediate family members are honoured with a state funeral

Presidents and their immediate family are regarded as American icons and their legacies are preserved after death.

When an immediate presidential family member dies, they are honoured with a state funeral, which is reserved for heads of state.

A state funeral can last for seven to 10 days and is a three-stage event with full military honours. The presidential family gets a military escort and flyover with a 21-gun salute, according to CBS News.

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