Donald Trump has reignited debate over his presidential earnings by claiming he is the only US president — aside from George Washington — to donate his salary, a statement that has since been challenged by historians and political commentators.
The former president, who returned to the White House in January after defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, took to his social media platform Truth Social on 6 August to make the claim. In the post, he wrote: “I am proud to be the only President (with the possible exception of the Late, Great George Washington) to donate my Salary. My first ‘Paycheck’ went to the White House Historical Association, as we make much needed renovations to the beautiful ‘People’s House’. Great improvements and beautification is taking place at the White House, at levels not seen since its original creation. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump’s comments referenced a tradition he began during his first term in 2017, when he pledged to take only $1 per year from his $400,000 annual salary, donating the rest to various federal agencies and causes, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Park Service, and the Small Business Administration.
The gesture was widely reported at the time, but his recent claim that he is the only president to have made such donations — aside from Washington — quickly drew scrutiny. Social media users were quick to point out that both John F. Kennedy and Herbert Hoover had also given away their salaries during their presidencies. According to historians, Washington himself did not decline his pay, accepting the presidential salary set by Congress during his time in office.
When White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reposted Trump’s statement on X, reactions were sharply divided. Supporters praised the move as evidence of his patriotism and personal sacrifice, with some calling it an example of “doing this for free” and a demonstration of his “love of God and country.” Others, however, questioned the significance of the donations in light of Trump’s personal wealth and business dealings, with critics highlighting the costs of his frequent trips to his own resorts while in office.
One user on X even queried whether it was possible to file Freedom of Information Act requests to determine how much Trump’s businesses had profited from government spending during his presidency. Another remarked sarcastically that his donated salary would “cover about one trip to Mar-a-Lago to golf.”
Forbes estimates Trump’s net worth at around $5 billion, largely stemming from real estate and past business ventures. With the presidential salary equating to $192.30 per hour, critics argue that the donations represent a negligible contribution compared to his overall fortune, while supporters maintain that it is a symbolic act that sets him apart from other political leaders.
This is not the first time Trump’s claims about his salary have prompted debate. During his first term, his administration often publicised the agencies and causes receiving the funds, framing the gesture as part of his commitment to public service. However, the renewed claim in 2025, now paired with the assertion that he is uniquely generous among presidents, has placed him at the centre of a fresh round of fact-checking and political sparring.
Despite the pushback, Trump’s base has continued to champion the move, with posts of support flooding social media in the wake of his Truth Social announcement. As one supporter wrote, “Yes, this is my president. The majority of America thanks and appreciates @POTUS.”
The White House has not addressed the historical inaccuracies in Trump’s statement, but the renewed focus on his salary donations has once again brought his wealth, business interests, and public image into sharp political focus just months into his second term.
