Donald Trump’s shocking salary claim explained.
Donald Trump is once again making headlines—this time over his paycheck.
Trump’s bold claim unveiled.
The President took to Truth Social to declare he’s the “only” one to have donated his full presidential salary.
He wrote: “I am proud to be the only President (with the possible exception of the Late, Great George Washington) to donate my Salary.”
He said his first 2025 paycheck went to the White House Historical Association for ongoing renovations.
“Great improvements and beautification is taking place,” he added, before closing with a familiar: “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump’s first term & salary donation claims explored.
Trump originally began donating his $400,000 annual presidential salary after taking office in 2017.
He defeated Hillary Clinton the year prior and entered office promising to run government like a business.
His administration claimed the salary went to agencies like Health and Human Services and the National Park Service.
He reportedly accepted just $1 a year, to stay in compliance with the Constitution’s Article II.
Supporters called it patriotic. Critics called it performative. But the headlines kept rolling.
Historical reality check unraveled.
Trump’s recent claim reignited one of the oldest presidential myths in the book.
Social media users quickly turned to fact-checking—and dragged in some presidential ghosts.
AI assistant Grok even responded: “No, not all true… JFK and Hoover also donated their full salaries.”
In fact, John F. Kennedy donated his entire salary to various charitable causes during his presidency.
Herbert Hoover did the same, reportedly donating his salary during both the Great Depression and his presidency.
Even George Washington, the one Trump name-dropped, was required to accept a salary to avoid setting a dangerous precedent.
Reactions to Trump’s claims clarified.
Trump’s personal fortune was estimated by Forbes to be around $5 billion, mostly from real estate ventures.
Which begs the question: does a salary donation mean much when you’re already a billionaire?
One critic fired back: “Tell us how much federal money went to Trump hotels.”
Another commented: “That $1 million wouldn’t even cover one Mar-a-Lago golf weekend.”
A third piled on: “He’s been working since January 2025 and just got paid?”
Despite backlash, Trump’s loyal base had his back.
“Dems become millionaires in office. Trump lost more than we’ll ever see,” wrote one supporter.
“Doing this for free shows his love of God and country,” another posted.
Trump’s headlines never quit. Neither does he.
Trump is now serving his second non-consecutive term after defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
His Truth Social post marks the first public mention of a salary donation since reclaiming the White House.
This time, the donation went to the White House Historical Association for renovation efforts.
Karoline Leavitt’s repost of the claim added fuel to the fire, especially as the Press Secretary of a re-elected Trump.
The post has since gone viral—splitting the internet in two all over again.
Whether you see it as selfless or strategic, Trump’s salary move is once again dominating headlines.
And if history tells us anything—it probably won’t be the last time.