One early estimate (from the New York Post) put the cost at $24,000. Absurdly low. The Daily Mail in London threw out another number — $75,000. Sure, three times as much as the first estimate, but still probably spectacularly low. Remember, joyriding Air Force One around for a few hours over Manhattan a couple months ago cost $250,000, so the cost of the weekend trip was likely not likely that low.
With the White House simply refusing to say how much taxpayer money it spent, here's a helpful way to calculate the cost of the trip:
First, the First Couple (and entourage) flew from the White House to Andrews Air Force Base — three choppers (two decoys)............
Second, the president moving on a Saturday takes a full operation at and around the White House, dozens and dozens of people.............
Third, a C-17 had to fly to NYC to put in place a full motorcade (at least a dozen vehicles, maybe more). ...........
Fourth, driving through Manhattan is an expensive exercise. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of NYPD have to be stationed all along the way, shutting down roads, holding back pedestrians.........
Fifth, the United States Secret Service (USSS) had to scope out the whole thing, then station agents all over — sharpshooters, undercover agents, etc. — at a huge cost. .................
One thing is known — The Obamas picked up the cost of dinner costs and their orchestra seat tickets, which cost $96.50 a piece. So if the whole thing cost $250,000, the Obamas offset that by at least a few hundred bucks. Phew.
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