Obama trips to Hawaii, Africa reportedly cost taxpayers nearly $16 million
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}U.S. taxpayers spent nearly $16 million to fly the Obamas to, from and around Hawaii and Africa, Air Force records obtained by Judicial Watch show.
"The Obama family 2013-2014 vacation to Honolulu cost $210,877 per hour for travel alone; at 36.9 total hours, the cost to taxpayers for the vacation's flight expense was $7,781,361.30," Judicial Watch said in a statement, noting an increase of $3,695,006.10 from flight expenses for the Obamas' 2012-13 Hawaii Christmas vacation.
Michelle Obama extended her Hawaiian vacation, traveling separately back to Washington after spending time with family friend Oprah Winfrey on Maui. President Obama said the trip to Maui was a gift for his wife in advance of her 50th birthday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Judicial Watch also obtained the cost of the Obamas' trip -- June 27 to July 3 -- to three countries in Africa -- Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania.
Transportation costs for flights to, from and around Africa was $228,288 an hour for 35.5 hours; the flight expense alone was $8,104,224, according to Air Force records.
The total for the Africa and Honolulu vacations cost taxpayers some $15,885,585.30 for flight expenses alone, Judicial Watch said.
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