Why Donald Trump’s Net Worth Decreased During His Presidency

Donald Trump had a multi-billion-dollar net worth before his became the 45th U.S. president. In 2021, is net worth is about $2.5 billion. Why did his net worth decrease?

Kathryn Underwood - Author
By

Jan. 21 2021, Updated 12:51 p.m. ET

Donald Trump's Net Worth in 2021
Source: Getty Images

Donald Trump’s wealth and business style fascinated the public long before he took on the presidency. Since The Trump Organization isn't a publicly-traded company, it doesn't have to disclose its financial details to the public. Based on the information available, Forbes estimates Trump’s current net worth at $2.5 billion.  

Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement

The former president’s net worth mainly comes from properties he owns including luxury hotels, luxury residential buildings, and golf courses, to name a few. The hotel and hospitality industry has suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump’s net worth has dropped from pre-pandemic estimates by Bloomberg ($2.97 billion) and Forbes ($3.1 billion). 

trump salary president
Source: Getty Images
Article continues below advertisement

How Donald Trump accumulated his wealth

Trump made most of his fortune in real estate. He started out working for his father developing low-income housing. He said that his father gave him a $1 million loan early in his career. Known for cost-cutting and negotiating contracts, Trump invested in many luxury hotels and other properties.  

Trump also made money from his books like The Art of the Deal and hosting the reality show The Apprentice.  

Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement

Donald Trump the richest U.S. president so far

So far, Trump is the richest president in U.S. history and the first billionaire elected to the office. His exact wealth is difficult to pinpoint since The Trump Organization is a privately owned entity. 

However, Trump often claimed that his net worth is much higher than the estimates by financial organizations like the Bloomberg Billionaire’s Index and Forbes

Article continues below advertisement

How much the president makes per year

Currently, a U.S. president earns a salary of $400,000 per year plus a $50,000 expense account. Salaries have changed over the years, beginning at $25,000 annually in 1789. Due to inflation, previous presidential salaries were worth more than the $400,000 salary in 2021. 

Article continues below advertisement

Other financial benefits to the presidency include a furnished residency at the White House, a redecorating fund, a travel account, and free healthcare. Former presidents also receive Secret Service protection, a pension for life, funds for office space and staff, and more due to the Former Presidents Act of 1958. 

Article continues below advertisement
us president pay and perks
Source: istock

Did Donald Trump get paid to be president?

Trump was one of four presidents in U.S. history to donate his presidential salary. Due to a legal requirement that presidents be compensated for the job, he took $1 per year and then donated the remainder to various federal departments throughout his four years in office. 

Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement

Some people claim that Trump earned money from his properties during his time in office. Foreign diplomats frequently stayed at and held large events at his hotels during his term.  

The other presidents who chose to give up or donate their salaries were George Washington, Herbert Hoover, and John F. Kennedy.

Donald Trump's net worth in 2021

As of Jan. 21, Trump’s estimated net worth is $2.5 billion. His net worth dropped from around $3 billion before the coronavirus pandemic started.

Trump provided the required financial disclosures to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, but many properties were reported in broad and not precise terms. Investopedia noted that “these estimates are self-reported, unaudited, and clash with numbers the Trump Organization has reported to state and local tax officials.”  

Advertisement

Latest Donald Trump News and Updates

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.