Trump Reaffirms Pledge to Donate His Entire Presidential Salary
President Donald J. Trump has once again vowed to donate 100% of his presidential salary — continuing a promise he made when first taking office.
The $400,000 annual pay, which most presidents have traditionally kept, was instead distributed to various federal agencies during his first term, including Agriculture, Homeland Security, and Health, to support specific programs and projects.
Trump says his choice is rooted in public service, not personal gain.
He often compares his approach to that of America’s first president, George Washington, who also declined a salary.
According to Trump, this is about “returning power to the people” and rejecting the political culture of self-enrichment that he says is common in Washington.
Supporters point to the pledge as proof of his dedication to the American people and a rare example of a political leader willing to forgo personal benefit.
They view it as a meaningful gesture of sacrifice and a sign of moral leadership.
Critics, however, argue that while the donation is notable, it is largely symbolic when compared to his overall wealth and income from other ventures.
Regardless of where you stand, the commitment has become a defining part of Trump’s political brand — a leader who insists he “came to serve, not to enrich” himself, and one who continues to make good on that promise year after year.
