Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Donald Trump Feels 'Guilty' About Expensive Security Measures For NYC's Trump Tower
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 29, 2017
Modified Apr 29, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 29, 2017
Modified Apr 29, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
On May 4, President Donald Trump will return to New York City for the first time since becoming President—and the reason why he's been such a stranger is that he's just really feels bad about the stress it puts on the Big Apple.
Trump discussed the massive security measures around Trump Tower, aka White House North, during an interview with Fox News: "President Donald Trump says he hasn’t returned to his New York City home because 'going back is very expensive for the country.' .... he feels 'guilty' when he returns to Trump Tower because authorities close surrounding streets and 'I hate to see the New Yorkers with streets closed.' He says he goes to his clubs instead because they have 'hundreds of acres' and streets stay open."
In Bedminster, NJ, where the 600-acre Trump National Golf Course may become "Camp David North," some residents are also worried about security costs.
Still, First Lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump reside at the Trump Tower triplex—and will for at least a couple more months—and that's been costing NYC a lot. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said it costs about $127,000 and $145,000 per day to secure Trump Tower for the First Lady and Barron Trump, and then when the President is in NYC, that number jumps to $308,000 a day.
NYPD outside Trump Tower (Getty Images)
New York lawmakers have asked Congress to reimburse the city for securing Trump Tower, but that money still hasn't come in. Mayor Bill de Blasio said during his budget presentation on Wednesday, "The continuing resolution will hopefully address, at minimum, the period between the election and the inaugural"—which cost $25 million, per Commissioner O'Neill's estimate.
"We believe this is an absolute federal responsibility, and, I have to say, I’m pleased, having talked to a number of Republicans in the Congress - I haven’t talked to every one of them, to say the least - but the ones I’ve talked to - no one disagrees in principle that this is the kind of thing the federal government should cover. So, we’re going to remain at least mostly hopeful," de Blasio added.
Tagged
barron trump
mayor de blasio
melania trump
nypd
president trump
security
Trump Tower
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
ICE agent fires 7 rounds, shoots man in neck in NYC's Marble Hill, NYPD says
Police say the man arrived at a hospital in stable condition and a 5-year-old boy in his SUV is safe.
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 8, 2026 at 5:33 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 8, 2026 at 11:48 p.m. ET
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
Jersey City mayor shakes up staff amid $255M budget gap
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx residents will be exempt from new Medicaid work rule, state officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
MTA chair accuses Andy Byford, who's leading Penn Station rebuild, of going 'full MAGA'
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Carol Chen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .