Over and over again, President Trump has demonstrated that he’s totally inept with numbers.
His infamous and unnecessary “ballroom” was supposed to cost $100 million, all coming from private donors (obviously looking for an inside track for government subsidies, lower taxes and pay-to-play contracts.)
Then the cost was estimated at $200 million. Now “The Hill” estimates the project at $600 million, with half of the funds coming from the U.S. government – translate: from taxpayers.
There probably is little to no cost accounting on this project. But I would take the bet that it will hit $1 billion as Trump gold plates it.
Given his disregard for numbers, it’s not hard to figure out how this self-proclaimed genius at deal-making bankrupted six Trump companies.
Let’s also look at his business acumen on foreign policy. His loser war in Iran that he started, without congressional approval, ran up a price tag in just three months of more than $30 billion. In addition, it gashed the U.S. economy with sky-high gas prices that hit every family and every business and organizations, private or public.
Similarly, he never figured out the economic side of the war in Ukraine. Early after the Russian invasion, we were spending around $40 billion per year to fund Ukraine’s defense. That’s 3% of his recent defense budget of $1.5 trillion.
The return on investment (ROI) was deep damage to the military and the economy of Russia, our number one enemy in the world. What smart business leader wouldn’t make that investment?
Instead, Trump sided with Putin by cutting off Ukraine. Putin is looking like a big loser in that war, as Trump has been in the Iran war. Does our wheeler-dealer president ever miss an opportunity to make a losing deal?
The $30 billion that he has been spending in Iran could have been used to accomplish Putin’s outright defeat in Ukraine.
Let’s step aside for a look at today’s fiscal reality in the U.S. Our national debt has grown to $38 trillion, 124% of our national output. Anything greater than 100% is considered risky.
Our deficit for the 2026 national budget has been pegged at almost $2 trillion. Both are out-of-control with Trump as our CEO. His drunken-sailor spending continues to defy financial gravity. He couldn’t care less.
Another spending debacle: His cage fight on the White House lawn to celebrate his turning 80 was estimated to cost $60 million. What percentage the taxpayers have been stuck with no one knows.
His “gift” from Qatar, the next Air Force One, will cost the U.S. taxpayers an estimated $400 to $600 million to upgrade.
Then there’s Trump’s proposed Independence Arc. It’s pegged at $100 million. Some are calling it “Arc de Trump.” Do we need it? Do we want it?
When it comes to finances, and a degree from Wharton, it’s obvious that he is no good with numbers. He is a financial illiterate.
Its either that or he just doesn’t care about fiscal responsibility. That’s a strange position for the leader of the Republican Party whose defining platform has always been fiscal conservatism.
He has pulled the Wisconsin Republican Reps. Glenn Grothman and Scott Fitzgerald into votes that are drowning the country in red ink.
