First Lady Jill Biden has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over just two flights between Paris, France, and Wilmington, Delaware.
According to the Daily Caller, the claim comes from the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF), which scrutinized her flights from Wilmington, where she attended Hunter Biden’s ongoing criminal trial, before flying to Paris; she then flew back to Wilmington from Paris before returning to Paris once again.
The NTUF says that the trip, which spanned roughly 3,600 miles, is estimated to cost taxpayers about $345,000.
“In accordance with relevant regulations utilized across administrations, the government has reimbursed the value of a first-class fare for these flights to Wilmington and back to Paris,” said Jill Biden’s office in a statement.
The total cost will be calculated by the White House Military Office, which will then issue the bill. Most first ladies usually travel on a Boeing C-32, which the Air Force estimates as costing $13,816 per hour. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is expected to reimburse her office for the cost of a commercial flight, thus leaving the rest of the bill for taxpayers’ money.
“The White House should be more transparent about these costs so taxpayers aren’t taken for a ride,” said Demian Brady, Vice President of Research for the National Taxpayers Union Foundation.
The extravagant spending has been criticized by other watchdog groups as an irresponsible use of taxpayer funds, particularly when related to personal matters such as Hunter’s contentious criminal trial.
“While I appreciate that the First Lady wants to support her son during this difficult trial, travel to the trial should be a personal, not a taxpayer expense,” said David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
Hunter, Jill’s stepson, was indicted last September on three felony charges for possession of a firearm while being addicted to drugs, in addition to lying on a firearms purchasing form. The trial began on June 3rd, and the defense rested its case on Monday.