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President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has donated his first paycheck of his second term to the White House Historical Association, directing the funds toward a series of planned renovations at the executive residence.
Trump, who has consistently declined his $400,000 annual presidential salary since taking office in 2017, said the donation will support upgrades to the White House Ballroom and other parts of the building.
“My first ‘Paycheck’ went to the White House Historical Association, as we make much-needed renovations to the beautiful ‘People’s House,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Great improvements and beautification is taking place at the White House, at levels not seen since its original creation. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he added.
While Trump stated he is the only president besides George Washington to decline a salary, both John F. Kennedy and Herbert Hoover also donated their presidential earnings to charitable causes, Politico reported.
The White House Historical Association, founded in 1961, is a nonprofit that helps preserve the historic integrity of the White House and funds restoration projects. No details have yet been released regarding the scope or timeline of the upcoming renovations.
Trump has donated past paychecks to various federal agencies and causes, including the National Park Service. He said he will continue to personally fund improvements during his current term.
The president previously donated part of his first term’s salary to the Department of Education for a STEM‑focused camp aimed at encouraging student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Earlier that year, his first‑quarter salary went to the Department of the Interior to support the National Park Service. The effort was part of his goal to promote workforce development, including supporting apprenticeship programs and advancing initiatives such as the INSPIRE Act and the Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act.
In 2020, Trump donated $100,000 of his 2020 salary to the National Park Service to help fund repairs on national monuments.
“I promised YOU I would not take a dime of salary as your President,” Trump wrote at the time on social media. “I donated the entire $400,000! It is my honor to give $100,000 to @NatlParkService to help repair and restore our GREAT National Monuments. So important to our American History! Thank You!!”
