Beyond the White House: What the American President pays for out of pocket

Time of India

03-05-2025

Image credits: Getty Images
Former first lady of America,
Michelle Obama
recently appeared on "
The Diary of a CEO
" podcast and shared a bit about her life in the White House. One of the most viral comments in the interview is where she shared that many might not be aware of the fact that living in the White House is "expensive."
"You're paying for every bit of food that you eat. If you're not travelling with the President if your kids are coming on the Bright Star, which is the first lady's plane. We had to pay for their travel to be on the plane. It is expensive" said the 61-year-old former first lady.
— DineshDSouza (@DineshDSouza)
But how much does the President of America have to pay out of his own pocket while residing in the White House? Find out below!
Personal food and groceries
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On various occasions, Obama has revealed that the first family is billed for their food items and groceries. She has mentioned it in her memoir 'Becoming' and even explained a bit about it in a 2018 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, saying, 'If you say you want some exotic fruit, 'Yes, ma'am, we'll get that right away,' and then you get the bill for a peach and it's like, that was a $500 peach!?'
Staff for non-official duties
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While the president does not have to pay for the staff in the White House, they do have to pay for non-official staff such as personal trainers, stylists, hairstylists and more.
Designer clothes and dry cleaning
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All the designer garments worn by the President and the First Lady have to be paid for by them. And if a designer gifts them outfits, they have to be donated after one wear. 'I was amazed by the sheer number of designer clothes that I was expected to buy, like the women before me, to meet the expectations for a first lady," wrote former First Lady Laura Bush in her memoir 'Spoken From the Heart' Additionally, the first family has to pay for their own dry cleaning, according to the CNN.
Vacation expenses
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When the president and family go on a vacation, they have to pay out of pocket for their accommodation, food and incidentals during the getaway. However, the security and the expenses to and fro are paid for.
Gifts and personal items
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When the president receives an official gift, it becomes government property. If they wish to retain the gift they have to purchase it at the appraised value. Additionally, according to Jennifer Capps, curator and historian at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis, when they give a dignitary a gift, they have to pay for it out of their own pocket.