Taxpayers slapped with $866,615 jet fuel bill for Obama's Earth Day speech
President Obama's decision to take his Earth Day speech attacking climate change "deniers" to Florida, home of two GOP presidential candidates, cost taxpayers $866,615.40 just for the flight of Air Force One.
Taxpayer watchdog Judicial Watch revealed Wednesday that the Air Force provided documents showing the flight expenses of flying the jumbo jet 4.2 hours to Miami. He was then helicoptered 20 minutes to the Florida Everglades for his speech.
Other costs, such as security, communications and staff were not provided, but would put the speech price at way over $1 million.
During his address, the president did not directly attack former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or current Sen. Marco Rubio, two presidential candidates, but he did slap those who question climate change and cited earlier efforts by Republican Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and George H.W. Bush to improve the environment.
"Climate change can no longer be denied," Obama said a tour of the Everglades. "It can't be edited out. It can't be omitted from the conversation. And action can no longer be delayed."
According to the New York Times, aides hoped the setting would put pressure on Bush and Rubio. The paper's reporters wrote, "White House officials believe that using the muggy backdrop of the Everglades to demand action will help put pressure on Mr. Bush, who is likely to run for president, and Mr. Rubio, who has declared his candidacy, to address the issue."
Judicial Watch told Secrets that the exact costs provided by the Air Force put the flight hour expenses at $206,377 per hour to operate.
"The irony of using Air Force One for an unnecessary jaunt to discuss global warming aside, these documents show that taxpayers are being gouged for President Obama's abuse of the perks of office," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "Taxpayers should not be forced to foot the bill for his continual savaging of political opponents," he added.
$100,000 a day for Michelle O's Italy, England trip
The bill for the summer-work vacation of first lady Michelle Obama, accompanied to England and Italy by her daughters, mom, and staff, should easily top her entourage's 2010 trip to Spain that cost an eye-popping $467,000.
While the White House didn't provide cost estimates for the week-long visit to London, Milan, Venice, and Vincenza, Italy, the State Department put lodging costs for just a couple nights in Venice at $128,781, according to Free Beacon, and Air Force charges based on a 2012 document for flying her group on past overseas trips indicate that this one will hit $243,000.
Michelle Obama and her family arrive in Milan, Italy. AP Photo
Those charges alone total $371,781. Add in the still unknown lodging costs in London and Milan, based on the Venice hotel charges, and the price should top $600,000, or about $100,000 a day.
In England, the first lady had tea with Prince Harry. White House Photo
And that's just for taxpayer funded airfare and lodging and doesn't include security, staff and other transportation and food.
Michelle Obama participates in a cooking demonstration at the James Beard American Restaurant with Italian and American middle school students in Milan. AP Photo
Obama is currently in Milan where on Wednesday she toured the famous Santa Maria delle Grazie church, home to the mural of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. The trip has been well covered by fashion and celebrity news outlets.
First lady leaving England for Milan. She changed onboard. AP Photo
E! Online for example heralded their "summer-perfect dress tour." People cheered, "Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama looked refreshed and stylish as they deboarded Air Force One in summer sundresses after an in-flight wardrobe change." Of course, "Air Force One" is the designation for when the president is on the aircraft, not the first lady.
The White House said her trip had three topics: In London, the "Let Girls Learn initiative," in Milan the first lady's "Let's Move!" program, and Venice to visit cultural sites, and in nearby Vicenza, Italy to meet with U.S. troops. In England, Obama had tea with Prince Harry.
Arriving in Milan from England. AP Photo
The first lady often vacations with her mom and daughters and the charges of her trips have been documented by the taxpayer watchdog group Judicial Watch, which uncovered the high bills for their trip to Spain.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com.
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