President Joe Biden is ramping up his campaign travels around the country as he seeks a second term in office. Recently spending time in Pennsylvania, a pivotal state in the 2024 campaign, he has plans to visit Virginia and Florida in the coming week to gain an edge over Republican Donald Trump. Moving the commander in chief from one location to another is no simple task, especially considering the costs involved in his travel expenditures. The president’s fleet includes Marine One helicopters and custom Boeing 747s, such as Air Force One, with operating costs ranging from $16,700 to almost $20,000 per hour for Marine One and roughly $200,000 per hour for Air Force One.
The real cost of moving the president goes beyond just the operational expenses of the aircraft. Military cargo planes are used to transport armored limousines ahead of the president’s arrival, in addition to the extensive security apparatus that accompanies the president at all times. To keep up with the demands of travel, new aircraft are in production, including updated helicopters by Sikorsky to serve as Marine One and new Air Force One planes by Boeing, scheduled to be completed by 2028. These aircraft will come equipped with various enhancements, such as a mission communication system, self-defense system, and autonomous baggage loading.
While the campaign is supposed to pay for the president’s travel expenses when flying for political purposes, the line between governing and campaigning can become blurred during election years. The White House counsel’s office is tasked with determining the percentage of the president’s travels that are campaign-related to calculate the reimbursement owed by the Biden campaign to the federal government. Taxpayers ultimately end up covering most of the costs, as campaigns typically only pay for Air Force One passengers flying for explicitly political reasons. Despite efforts to adhere to regulations, the calculations can sometimes be complex, particularly when official events are added to political trips.
President Biden’s campaign and joint fundraising committee have been setting aside travel funds in an escrow account managed by the Democratic National Committee. Since January 2023, they have deposited nearly $6.5 million to cover various campaign expenses, including official aircraft use for campaign-related travel by the president and other officials. However, only $300,000 has been reimbursed to the federal government so far, with the expectation that more will be paid back once the campaign concludes. Trump’s campaign reimbursed nearly $4.7 million for travel expenses during the 2020 race, and Biden, with a significant amount of cash on hand, is expected to cover his bills without any issues.
