Donald Trump has been making headlines again after declaring that he is the only U.S. president apart from possibly George Washington to have given away his presidential salary. His statement came with a dose of pride, but it quickly set off a wave of debate online, with people split between praise and skepticism.
This isn’t the first time Trump has made this point about his earnings. Back when he first took office in 2017 after defeating Hillary Clinton, he started donating his \$400,000 annual presidential pay to different government causes. He chose to keep only \$1 per year for himself, something the Constitution allows a president to do.
The rest, his administration claimed, went to agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Park Service, and the Small Business Administration. Trump often highlighted these donations during his first term as proof that he wasn’t in politics for personal gain.
After returning to the White House for a second term this year, having beaten Kamala Harris in the election, Trump decided to bring the subject up again. On August 6, 2025, he posted on his own platform, Truth Social, saying that his first paycheck of the term went to the White House Historical Association.
According to him, the money will help fund “much needed renovations” and “beautification” projects at the White House, claiming that the improvements are being done at a scale not seen since its original construction. In his usual style, he ended the post with his well-known slogan, “Make America Great Again!”
The reaction was immediate and divided. Supporters viewed it as another example of Trump’s patriotism and generosity, arguing that most politicians go into office and mysteriously end up far wealthier, while Trump already a billionaire works for free and gives back. Some praised what they saw as his dedication to the country, even tying it to their belief in his faith and moral values. They saw the gesture as symbolic of someone who loves America and is willing to make personal sacrifices.
Critics, however, were quick to challenge his claim. Many pointed out that Trump is not the only president to give up his salary. Historical records show that John F. Kennedy and Herbert Hoover both donated their presidential salaries during their terms, and George Washington though sometimes cited — actually accepted his pay. This made Trump the fourth president to do so, not the only one. Some people accused him of trying to rewrite history to make himself look unique.
Others dug into the bigger picture, questioning how much Trump’s private businesses have earned since he entered the presidency. They noted that federal agencies and security details have spent millions at Trump-owned properties for accommodations and events, and some wondered if those profits outweighed his salary donations many times over.
A few critics also mocked the donation amount compared to the cost of his frequent trips to Mar-a-Lago for golf, with one person sarcastically pointing out that his \$1 million in total donated salary could barely cover one such trip.
The skepticism didn’t stop there. Some asked why he was only now talking about his “first paycheck” when he had been in office since January 2025, implying there might be more behind the timing of the announcement. Others saw the whole thing as a PR move aimed at drawing attention away from controversies surrounding his administration.
Still, his loyal base took his post as proof of his commitment, with some writing messages like “Yes, this is my president” and “The majority of America thanks & appreciates you.” To them, the salary donation was symbolic of his fight against the political establishment and a gesture of service to the American people.
The conversation shows how even a relatively small act, like donating a paycheck, can become another flashpoint in the ongoing political divide around Trump. What his supporters see as generosity and leadership, his critics see as self-promotion and selective storytelling — and the debate doesn’t look like it will fade anytime soon.
