Bernie Sanders publicly criticizes Trump for the astonishing legal settlements he has paid just this year.
Donald Trump frequently emphasizes that he does not accept a presidential salary during his time in office, a claim that has become a signature part of his public persona. While it is true that he has donated portions of his official earnings, including the first paycheck of his second term to fund White House renovations, the reality of his financial situation in 2025 tells a very different story. Far from struggling financially, the former president has turned a series of high-profile legal settlements into a massive source of income, dwarfing the $400,000 annual salary that U.S. presidents receive—a figure that has remained unchanged for the last two decades, according to CBS News. Alongside this salary, presidents also receive a $50,000 non-taxable expense allowance, a $100,000 travel budget, and a $19,000 fund for entertainment, benefits that Trump has technically enjoyed but often downplays in public statements. In 2025, Trump’s legal victories against major corporations have captured…