New disclosures show the Secret Service spent about $123,411 preparing for former President Donald Trump's visit to the Super Bowl in February, a five-and-a-half-hour trip that drew attention as Trump became the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl game. The expenses, reported by Front Office Sports, cover hotels and booking services in New Orleans; the security detail arrived five days before Trump and remained through the game.
The tally includes nine hotels with lodging costs totaling more than $65,000, including three properties that charged more than $16,000 each. One bill shows nearly $18,000 for the Margaritaville Resort. In addition, two payments for lodging services totaled about $25,000, and another roughly $7,000 was paid to the NFL. The final figure does not include meals, travel or agent pay, which would likely raise the overall cost.
The trip featured Trump walking onto the field with his daughter Ivanka and son Eric to shake hands with players before kickoff, then watching the action from seats near the field. He was photographed shaking hands with Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones as Kansas City prepared for the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, who went on to win 40-22.
Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies coordinated one of the largest security efforts in Super Bowl history, locking down major areas of New Orleans with drones, armed guards, rooftop snipers and police dogs. An expansive security package also included a large X-ray machine at the Superdome to scan vehicles for explosives.
Trump has continued making public appearances in the months since, with security considerations repeatedly highlighted. In related public events, the New York Yankees recently installed glass panels in front of where Trump sat during a game against the Detroit Tigers, an example of heightened protective measures at high-profile events. Asked about his safety on the White House lawn before departure, Trump said he was not unduly worried, adding that he was concerned for the country and faulting what he called a radical left opposition.
The disclosure of the cost figure comes amid ongoing scrutiny of taxpayer-funded protection for presidents and high-profile political figures. Officials note that the $123,411 covers a portion of pre- and event-related expenses and does not capture all potential costs associated with the visit; additional expenses for meals, travel, and other services would push the total higher. The figures illustrate the scale of security operations tied to premier political events and how budgeting for such protections is handled and reported.