Following the first lady’s lavish getaway to Spain in 2010, the White House assured American citizens that the Obamas would pay for any personal expenses. But Judicial Watch, a public interest group that investigates government corruption, has announced that government documents suggest it was on taxpayers’ dime — to the tune of $467,585.
U.S Airport records indicate that the cost of flying Michelle Obama round-trip to Spain was $199,323.75. Lodging the flight crew cost $10,290.60, car rental cost $2,633.50 and food cost $876.30 (which included $57.68 for maple syrup and pancake mix).
In addition, the trip cost the Secret Service $254,461.20.
The hefty bill also included lodging for a dog.
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said:
The American people can ill afford to keep sending the First Family on vacations around the globe. There needs to be greater sensitivity to the costs borne by taxpayers for these personal trips. It is hypocritical for President Obama to fire GSA officials for wasteful conference spending, while his family went on a luxury vacation in the Costa del Sol Spain that cost taxpayers nearly half a million dollars. No wonder it took two years and a lawsuit to get these documents out of the Obama administration.