Trump once decried the idea of presidential vacations. His Scotland trip is built around golf
Ulysses S. Grant sometimes summered at his family's cottage in Long Branch, New Jersey , even occasionally driving teams of horses on the beach. Ronald Reagan once said he did 'some of my best thinking' at his Rancho Del Cielo retreat outside Santa Barbara, California.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump's Secret Service detail to pay $600K for golf carts and port-a-potties to use at his New Jersey club
The Secret Service is allocating more than $600,000 to rent golf carts and portable toilets for use in Bedminster, New Jersey, the home of President Donald Trump's private country club, according to a review of government procurement data by The Independent. On June 3, the agency signed a pair of definitive contracts with Associates Golf Car Service of Poughkeepsie, New York, and Restroom Resources LLC of Wrightstown, New Jersey, federal records show. The agreement with Associates Golf Car Service Inc., for 'Golf Car Rental and Transportation Services,' is worth a potential $550,930 and runs through June 2, 2026. Restroom Resources's work order for 'portable restroom rentals and services' is worth up to $80,385, runs through May 31, 2026, and comes with a three-year renewal option, for a potential total of $333,801. Taxpayers, as is customary, will be footing both bills. Secret Service agents in golf carts normally ride several holes ahead of and behind Trump when he hits the links, in order to ensure his security. And while it is unclear exactly how the portable restrooms will be used, they are for the convenience of agents on the property and not because they are banned from using the facilities inside, as they were rumored to be at the 5,000 square-foot Washington, D.C. spread rented by First Daughter Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner in 2017. In a email on Monday, a Secret Service spokesperson told The Independent, 'The U.S. Secret Service has contracts in place for portable restrooms and golf cart rentals to support protective operations in Bedminster, New Jersey. The golf carts are used by personnel to move around club property. Secret Service personnel have access to restrooms in club facilities; however, additional restrooms are needed to support the number of personnel onsite. These rentals also allow for restroom access in additional locations on club property and when club facilities are closed such as after business hours.' Messages sent to Associates Golf Car Service Inc. and Restroom Resources went unanswered. In 2019, the Secret Service allocated $95,250 to rent golf carts from Associates Golf Car Service, to be used at Bedminster over a six-month period between May 6 and October 31. It is unclear whether the new rate of $550,930 represents a far larger rental fleet this time around, or if prices have more than doubled in the years since. Golf cart rentals at Associates Golf Car Service range from about $1,000 to $1,400 per month. None of the rental fees are shown going directly to Trump, unlike a July 2018 trip he took to his Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland, during which the property charged the Secret Service $923 for golf cart rentals. (Trump was accused of overcharging the Secret Service by as much as 300 percent to rent hotel rooms at the Washington, D.C. hotel he owned during his first term.) For its part, Restroom Resources, which serves New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, aims to 'provide the most luxurious portable restroom experience, ensuring comfort, sophistication, and convenience at every event. We believe in enhancing the guest experience with high-end restroom trailers that seamlessly blend style and functionality.' 'At Restroom Resources, we're redefining mobile restroom experiences,' the company's website tells prospective clients. '... We understand that traditional porta potties can be unpleasant – but your guests and team deserve better. That's why we've built our company on exceeding expectations and delivering luxury amenities in every unit.' The initiation fee to join Trump's club in Bedminster sits at about $100,000, according to The Wall Street Journal. Last month, the Somerset County Health Department gave the club's kitchens a food-safety grade of 32 points out of a possible 100, alongside only two other establishments scoring under 40: Hunan Wok in Middlesex Borough and Ponche Suizo in North Plainfield, reported. The club's general manager insisted, without evidence, that the violations were 'politically motivated,' and health inspectors raised the establishment's score to 83 following a return visit in early June. Still, the club was cited for six violations, including two critical ones, such as improperly chilled milk and creamers, weak sanitizer levels, and mops stored in buckets instead of being air-dried. Since his January 20 inauguration, Trump's golf habit has already cost taxpayers more than $53 million, according to tracking site During his first term, Trump's golf habit set back taxpayers a total of $151.5 million, which included security, transportation aboard Air Force 1, meals, and lodging, according to the Government Accountability Office. Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
3 hours ago
- CNN
Passengers evacuated from plane onto Denver runway after landing gear issue sparked fire and left 1 injured
More than 150 passengers on an American Airlines flight departing from Denver International Airport Saturday were evacuated onto the runway after a 'possible landing gear incident' left one person injured and sparked a fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. After the Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced a 'maintenance issue' involving an aircraft tire prior to takeoff, emergency personnel at the airport and the Denver Fire Department responded to the issue and those on board were evacuated on the runway, according to American Airlines and Denver International Airport. The evacuation is the latest in a string of alarming aviation incidents at Denver International Airport – the sixth busiest airport in the world. In March, dozens of passengers were forced to stand on the wing of an American Airlines plane as they evacuated the aircraft after one of its engines caught fire. A month later, a United Airlines plane hit an animal on takeoff and shot out fire. On Saturday, passengers on the plane, which was departing to Miami International Airport with 173 passengers and six crew members, panicked when they heard a loud bang and saw flames before being evacuated on a slide attached to the plane. The combination of blown tires and the deceleration of the plane during braking resulted in a brake fire that was extinguished by the Denver Fire Department, according to American Airlines. 'All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team. We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience,' the airline said. Five people were evaluated at the scene, and another person was evaluated at a gate and taken to the hospital with a minor injury, according to the airport and airline. The plane had been scheduled to depart from the gate at 1:12 p.m. local time, according to FlightAware, and the incident occurred around 2:45 p.m., the FAA said. FlightAware data shows 240 flights out of Denver International Airport were delayed as of Saturday evening. Customers will depart to Miami on a replacement plane later today, according to the airline. The FAA is investigating the incident. The evacuation comes a day after a harrowing moment for passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight. A privately owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet crossed less than two miles in front of a Boeing 737 plane within a few hundred feet of its altitude, according to the flight tracking site Flightradar24. Shay Armistead, a 17-year-old passenger from Minturn, Colorado, who was headed to Santiago, Chile, for a ski trip with her club team, said Saturday's ordeal was 'kind of traumatizing.' As the plane moved down the runway, passengers heard a loud bang and believed the tire popped, Armistead said. 'The plane started vibrating and shaking really bad,' she told CNN. 'We started tilting to the left side of the runway, and then we heard the sound of the wind from them lifting up the brakes of the plane and slamming on them really hard.' Just a few seats down, Armistead's teammate, 16-year-old Margaret Gustafson, had a clear view out of the window and saw the maintenance issue, she said. Gustafson said she knew something was wrong when she saw flames coming out from under the plane. 'That's when I started fully panicking,' she said. When she heard a big boom, Gustafson was unsure where the noise came from. 'Some of us just thought we hit something and then we started really swerving on the runway,' Gustafson said. 'I personally grabbed my friend's hand who was in front of me because we didn't really know what was going on.' The scary moment was met by immense panic among passengers. 'One passenger was screaming, 'We're all gonna die,'' Armistead said. 'Another passenger was not sitting down and cooperating, and so it was kind of just a lot of panic.' Passengers lined up the back of the plane, where they slid down the slide attached to the plane, Armistead said. The entire evacuation process took about 10 to 15 minutes, she recalled. Although their ski trip plans were derailed, the teammates' flight was rescheduled to tomorrow morning. This story has been updated with additional information.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
This Underrated Louisiana City Is The Beating Heart Of Cajun Culture
Lafayette was officially established in 1821, then known as "Vermilionville." While New Orleans draws millions of visitors each year thanks to its vibrant nightlife and eye-catching architecture, one of Louisiana's most underrated cities can be found just three hours west of The Big Easy. With well over 100,000 people residing within city limits, Lafayette has given rise to a wealth of captivating attractions, with plenty of opportunities to explore the distinct Cajun culture that's formed across Louisiana over the years. Though it tends to fly under the radar compared to larger nearby cities, those who venture to Lafayette will be richly rewarded with a seamless blend of time-honored tradition and contemporary charm, with a thriving seafood scene, esteemed museums and plenty of cozy shops to explore all across the region. Throughout the 1600s and 1700s, thousands of Acadian people settled in modern-day Louisiana either ... More through forcible relocation or elective migration. Given its large concentration of Cajun Americans, Lafayette and its surrounding parish are often referred to as the 'Heart of Acadiana'—and for a thorough immersion on the roots of this storied culture, Vermilionville is the perfect destination. Measuring in at 23 acres, this living history museum comes equipped with a wealth of restored 19th-century homes, with plenty of interpreters on-site to provide insight into the daily lives of Lafayette's historic Cajun, Creole and Native American communities. Throughout each visit, guests can enjoy woodworking demonstrations, learn about the indigenous history of the region and experience lively zydeco music performances, with each session held in hopes of preserving the unique cultural heritage of the Acadiana region that's developed across the centuries. Louisiana has long been renowned for its culinary culture, and while top-tier restaurants abound across Lafayette, history buffs should be sure to book an excursion with Cajun Food Tours for a double dose of Acadiana lore paired with incredible dining. During an Original Cajun Food Tour, guests will be treated to lengthy tales about the history of the Acadian people, with opportunities to dine on local staples like gumbo and king cake throughout the day. Meanwhile, those interested in a more international perspective on the city can opt for an Around the World tour, with Latin American, Asian and Mediterranean cuisines all highlighted during the excursion. The Louisiana crawfish was designated the state crustacean of Louisiana in 1983. Once you've gained some insight into the history of Louisiana's food scene, it's time to sample some of the state's most lauded dishes, with The Cajun Table serving as the perfect destination for a classic crawfish boil. Options span from three pounds to fifteen pounds of freshly-caught crawfish, with plenty of potatoes, boiled sausage and Cajun table dip to pair with the bugs—and as an added bonus, there are plenty of other preparation styles to sample, with alternate options including crawfish fettuccine, crawfish half and half and crawfish-topped Bloody Marys. Beyond The Cajun Table, other beloved local spots include Spoonbill and Pop's Poboys—and once you've had your fill of savory seafood, Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe is the perfect dessert spot, drawing customers with its freshly-made dairy products since 1940. Lafayette has mastered the art of traditional Pelican State favorites, but the city is no slouch when it comes to innovative contemporary dining either. During morning hours, Five Mile Eatery wows customers with its carefully-crafted plates that come packed full of locally-sourced produce and protein, with probiotic yogurt bowls, microgreen-topped caprese toast and syrup-soaked waffles all gracing the menu—and when it comes to evening fine dining, it's tough to find a better destination than Vestal. Specializing in classic Southern fare with a modern twist, this polished space offers tantalizing dishes like Thai chili-loaded mussels and yuzu butter-infused half shell redfish, while the cocktail program is just as impressive, with options like the agave-heavy You're in Trouble and tropical fruit-forward Happy Disaster serving as two must-try menu items for spirit aficionados. The American alligator is a prominent cultural symbol across Louisiana, serving as the state reptile ... More since 1983. While Lafayette is renowned for its time-honored Cajun culture, the city also offers a glimpse into the charm of contemporary Acadiana, with plenty of eye-catching shops to explore across the downtown area. To kick off the day, visitors can make their way to Rêve Coffee Lab to snag a cappuccino, then set off just a few steps down the street to explore Lagniappe Records, a cozy shop that's home to a colossal music selection spanning from cassettes to CDs to vinyl. Just across the street, Cavalier House Books also draws guests in droves thanks to its diverse collection of works, while spring and fall visitors should be sure to swing by Parc Sans Souci to enjoy Downtown Alive!, a Friday night concert series that's perfect for catching a traditional zydeco band in action. After a thorough deep dive into downtown Lafayette, visitors can gain ample insight into the local arts scene with a trip to the Hilliard Art Museum. Established in 2004, this esteemed institution is dedicated to highlighting the storied beauty of Acadiana, with a captivating collection of bucolic landscape paintings, intricate sculptures and high-definition photography on display across the space. Meanwhile, the late night hours bring the opportunity to catch all sorts of enthralling live performances across the city, with sites like the Blue Moon Saloon and Hideaway on Lee drawing local talent to the stage with plenty of cocktails and local craft beer to enjoy along the way.
