Yesterday, the Trump administration released its annual report to Congress on the White House Office Personnel.
This year, not only did the president maintain a lean staff, he cut the total payroll budget from $35.7 million (2017) to $35.2 million and further honed the books.
Leading by example, Trump has already saved taxpayers over $11 million and projected four-year savings could easily top $22 million. The payroll discounts come from Trump’s refusal to take a salary, as well as big reductions in other areas including the absence of czars, expensive “fellows,” and spending on First Lady of The United States (FLOTUS) staff.
Here are some key findings:
- There are 95 fewer employees on the White House staff under Trump than under Obama at this point in their respective presidencies. (In 2010, Obama had 469 employees for $38.8 million – adjusting for inflation, the payroll cost more than $43 million.)
- $5.7 million in annual payroll savings compared to the Obama 2015 payroll. In 2018, the Trump payroll amounts to $35.2 million for 374 employees. In 2015, the Obama payroll amounted to $40.9 million for 476 employees, not adjusting for inflation.
- Ten staffers are dedicated to the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS). In 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama paid her 24 staffers $1.6 million collectively.
- Overall, 148 employees from Trump’s 2017 payroll of 377 employees no longer work at the White House. The employee turnover rate was 39-percent year-over-year.
- The most highly compensated White House employees under Trump are 23 assistants to the president who earn salaries of $179,700.
Although the White House personnel budget is an infinitesimal part of the $3.9 trillion federal budget, it is an important forecasting indicator showing Trump’s deep commitment to cut the size, scope and power of the federal government and reign in waste.
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