Finance

Judicial Watch: Michelle Obama’s ‘Low-Key’ Aspen Trip Cost Taxpayers Roughly $83K

Michelle Obama’s February trip to Aspen with her daughters was described as “low-key” at the time, possibly because it was her 16th vacation in three years, according to reports.

Here is what the Aspen Daily News related at the time, via USA Today:

Several people have known about the “low-key” vacation, with the Secret Service in town for the past few days scoping out places for the family to relax and enjoy what the resort has to offer.

Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo confirmed that he has met with the Secret Service and has loaned seven deputies to help protect the first lady and her family.

“This is not a state visit. … I think she has the right and privilege to be able to escape from public life,” he said. “It’s a privilege to have the first lady here.”

A spokesperson for Michelle Obama elaborated: “The first lady and the Obama daughters are on a private family trip to Colorado. Personal expenses are being paid for by the Obamas.”

Judicial Watch, the watchdog organization that revealed the cost of Michelle Obama’s trip to Africa to be roughly $424,142, and the cost of her trip to Spain roughly $467,000, is now reporting that the first family’s “low-key” trip to Aspen cost the taxpayer $83,182.99.

Judicial Watch elaborates:

-The total cost for the Aspen ski vacation was at least $83,182.99.
-The bill for the U.S. Secret Service, including accommodations at the Fasching Haus deluxe condominium and the Inn at Aspen, was $48,950.38.
-The cost for the flight, per official DOD published hourly rates, was $22,583.70.  Food and miscellaneous on-flight items cost $235.44.  The cost for rental cars totaled $6,442.23.

Key details, including flight records for the Secret Service detail and the names of individuals who accompanied Mrs. Obama on the vacation, were redacted from the documents with the exception of two staffers. One was Meredith Koop, her personal assistant and style advisor, the other was her scheduler Kristen Jarvis.

“No wonder we had to file a lawsuit in federal court and wait six months to get basic information on Michelle Obama’s luxury Aspen vacation,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

“The costs of the Obama family ski weekend are staggering. These high-priced luxury vacations, and the lack of transparency about them, are beginning to seem like an abuse of office.”

 

Comments (117)

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  • christos
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:32pm

    Living a life of luxury off the tax payers,while his 1/2 brother lives in 3rd world poverty telling others to be their brothers keeper,,,,where are the ad commercials & outrage over this,,,Dictators live this way he’s got the muslim brotherhood,all of the Country’s that are the U.S. enemies as his personal allies,,,just returning the favor.PRAYER in +JESUS+ name I pray to +GOD+ & +GOD+ listens & answers.you you BIG BULLY CREEPS.TA

    Report Post » christos  
    • Paydert33
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:40pm

      They haven’t been on a vacation for awhile. They think we will forget just how many they have taken in the past. Not to worry or fret…..if he gets re-elected…you can bet your bottom dollar or in his case our last dollar that mooooochelle will more then make up for it, cause she will put up her nose at us and go where and when she wants to…. anytime….and she will be eating high-off-the-hog and laughing right in our face.

      Report Post » Paydert33  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:08pm

      Seventeen vacations in three years, 120 rounds of golf, skiing in Aspen, yeahhhh, they are really in touch with you black folks aren’t they !!!!!!!???????

      Report Post »  
    • anomnomnommm
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:37pm

      @DETROIT PAPERBOY

      You’re the only one making race an issue here. This is why people say that there are racist issues within the anti-Obama public.

      Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:38pm

      I wish there were JUMPING TREES!!!

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Grey Eagle
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:36pm

      Yep, you have it right. Approximately $100,000 vacation , which is more than most people make in a year. I remember the Democrats hollering and screaming about Bush trips/vacations, when he want to his ranch in Texas and cleared brush. There is no comparison. Many of his cabinet secretaries were there as well. Foreign heads of state came too, and he would take them for a ride in his pick-up on the ranch. Huge difference.

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 5:51am

      The number of vacations is a slap in the face to those that elected them, but I don’t think the cost is out of the way.

      Over half of the cost is for the Secret Service. Then there is another big chunk for transporting the agents. The First Family should be protected, and while I realise that this one is vastly unpopular, it doesn’t change the fact.

      It would be better, though, if she took fewer of them. It would save the country a lot of money and help them to appear to be taking the plight of the ordinary American seriously. I doubt that they really care about ordinary people but it would help to appear that they do, especially in an election year.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 6:24am

      @annonamom

      OK, he should have said they’re really in touch with the average guy, the tax payer, the middle class. Would that make you happier? The reason he said black people is that they claim that…..that they are the ONLY ones who can help black America. Funny how they don’t claim to be able to help WHITE America. I didn‘t know there were 2 different America’s, personally.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:20am

      Typical of “The Truth Driven” staff here, there is no reference point to past Presidents or ranking members of Congress. And let’s be clear that the Secret Service would be paid for the time whether they were in Aspen or not.

      Report Post »  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:33pm

      JROOK…you are right about past presidents and the secret service…but….when did you EVER hear Laura Bush taking herself and her friends to Spain, when did you ever hear of Laura going on skiing trips to Aspen..I believe the only thing she cost the American Tax payor was when she wanted to go home to Texas for the weekend…some are so blind to see that the Obama’s have been on one LONGGGGG vacation since taking office….or on the campaign trail for that matter.

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
  • owl4909
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:28pm

    considering the job and the state this country is in i would not expect much time off// i have started jobs were there was no time off when there were things to be done thats why i got the job / not only is this crowd communists they have no work ethic

    Report Post »  
    • salvawhoray
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:55pm

      I guess she has less on her plate.
      Wait, that is impossible with an ass like hers.

      Report Post » salvawhoray  
  • intercepter
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:27pm

    I too am on a low key vacation this week,mine not as fun though ,oh it started with fixing the truck ,and then from there I started evening out my tan by painting the trim around the house ,and then finish the week off with a little quality time cutting the grass and weeding .And thats pretty much the difference between the entitled and the rest of us

    Report Post »  
  • cassandra
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:27pm

    the WH is the poor house now because of obama and michelle they don’t care about the American people ! they act like they won the lottery. Their real good at asking other people to give MORE, their real good at asking the people to pay for THEIR vacations, their real GOOD at giving YOUR money away to THEIR friends thats the problem with THEM they want YOU to pay but THEY give NOTHING

    Report Post »  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:25pm

    I absolutely LOL when you guys call her Moochelle.

    I know it’s wrong, but I just love it.

    Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • Too_Far_Gone
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:18pm

    Chewy on skis, in this case looks more like the O-bominable snow b*tch ..

    Report Post » Too_Far_Gone  
  • RamonPreston
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:13pm

    They take a 6 month vacation twice a year.

    Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:11pm

    It simply is a case of The Obamas having no class, no taste, no discretion, no clue …they are third world turds dressed up like Mr. Hanky … Crap for brains

    Report Post » blazingaway  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:08pm

    When do you think Obama first asked if he got a Royal – I mean Pesidential Yacht, too?

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:34pm

      He’s probably arrogant enough to call Angela Merkel and ask her to send over the Gorch Foch and provide a crew too.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:43pm

      Oops, last time I was on that ship, it was at the ‘84 Boston Tall Ships Day. Its actually Gorch Fock. My bad.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:49pm

      No way RJJ, Chancellor Merkel would chew him up and spit him out.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:06pm

      MODEL82A1, LOL, didn’t want to overstate the obvious. My actual point is that 0 is just arrogant enough to make the attempt. Hmmm, or maybe that should be ‘demand.’

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:08pm

    …
    Barack and Michelle are an embarrassment to America. Just spend, spend, spend.
    Get them out of the White House, before they put us all into the poor house.

    Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:12pm

      What I particularly love is the recent interviews Moochelle Antionette has given saying that she doesn’t like being first lady and the life of the white house. While she goes to Aspen, Spain, imports Hawiian chefs for Luaus at the white house. Halloween with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. Hubby always on Hollywood for $40K a plate fundraisers with hollywood and fashion elites…all on the tax payer’s dime.
      For someone who doesn’t like living at the white house, old Moochelle is certainly making lemonade out of lemons…at the tax payer’s expense of course.

      Report Post »  
  • grannyjojo
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:05pm

    Her 16th vacation in 2 years????? That is wayyyyy over the top! I understand it costs more for the president and family to vacation BUT they don’t NEED 16 vacations in 3 years! I’m lucky to get 2 weeks off and my stress levels rival theirs (in comparison) so BOLOGNY!

    Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:00pm

    Beginning to seem like an abuse of office?

    Report Post » randy  
  • godlovinmom
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:59pm

    I’m just wondering what ever happened to “serving” your country….ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country…apparently the obama‘s and most government employees didn’t get that memo.

    Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:13pm

      Let me translate for you… See O is the country and we are to serve him with the fruit of our labor and then we are to be grateful for the confiscation then be satisfied with the crumbs that we are alloted just as any good serf is supposed to

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • antrancher
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:06pm

      He has never met many of his employees. Never!

      Report Post »  
    • christhefanatic
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:54pm

      Yeah Tri-Ox, but think of the toxic waste site that was created.

      Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:56pm

    It looks like Big Mo’s taxpayer-funded liposuction and extensive plastic surgery were a success – notice how her rear-end and hips are about half the size they used to be? I wonder how much WE paid for that?

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • ENDTIMES2220
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:56pm

    Greed is not very attractive, she will reap what she sows .

    Report Post » ENDTIMES2220  
  • 10percenter
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:51pm

    When was YOUR last vacation, and how much did YOURS cost?

    Report Post »  
    • McNamara
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:57pm

      I cant remember that far back and it surely didn’t cost that much. Moochelle has a stylst/advisor? There’s a useless job. She should be fired for her lack of style and lousy advice.

      Report Post » McNamara  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:15pm

      Mine was a 5 day vacatIon in 2004. Cost was about $4000.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:15pm

      What’s a vacation? A lot of Americans work on their vacations trying to pay bills.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • katiefrankie
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:40pm

      Moab, UT in 2011 with my husband. We wanted to hike the Fiery Furnace, so we splurged and went on a mini-vacation over the weekend in October. Opting for a clean and hospitable cabin at the Lazy Lizard hostel and bringing our own food (minus a scrumptious breakfast in a cute downtown Moab restaurant and a tasty pizza buffet post-hike), we probably spent about $150.00. We’re on a budget, but the sparkling vistas and a ferociously gorgeous hike were worth it!!!

      Report Post » katiefrankie  
    • LandShark
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 8:06pm

      I’m on one right now…unemployed for the last year +. Company I worked for, we started and grew it. But the company got taken over. I do not collect unemployment, didn’t feel like someone owed me money when a few of us started it, and it got taken over, it was the owners fault, and ours, the other three that helped build and let the owner screw up. Before that I worked six days a week for an average of 12 hours a day for six years straight. My vacation… Sundays off. Before that I was a painter, went to trade school as an apprentice for it for three years, became a journeymen right when new housing starts took a nosedive. My vacation, looking for union work in a 150 mile radius for a year, no luck. Left the union, worked with a private contractor. Managed one week in California with girlfriend at the time, to visit her friends. Worked as a painter/tapper for eighteen years total. Vacation in that time period… When ever there was no work, which wasn’t often then as we did a lot of residential work.
      So my vacations (staycations) are whenever I don’t work.
      As I said, last job, company we started got taken over, I do not collect unemployment. Our salary at times did not exist. In the four years we worked there, the four of us didn’t get paid for one-and-one-half years in total, at times our MONTHLY take home pay was $ 300.00
      I feel stubborn about not filing for unemployment. I’m strange I guess.

      Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:48pm

    So…..her vacation costs more than I make in a year. Why am I not surprised, besides, it’s only money, it’s not like anyone is ever going to pay this bill. And besides, she didn’t ski by herself, she had help, it was the Govt standing there giving her help. Just like she couldn’t live this lifestyle, without our help….er….the Govt.’s help, which is “By the people, of the people, paid by the people.”

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • bdandsl
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:48pm

    I will be so glad when they are sent packing! I am sick and tired of the obams living large on our dime while the rest of us are barely hanging on.

    Report Post » bdandsl  
    • anomnomnommm
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:43pm

      I agree. We should scrap the White House for parts and give the proceeds out among the people! Real Americans! +Jesus+ and +G-d+ Bless Get Romney the **** in. He’ll be way better than these socialists – its like Nazi Germany all over again!

      Report Post »  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:46pm

    This the left has NO problem with. What they do have a problem with is that Mitt Romney could actually take an $83k vacation and pay for it with HIS OWN MONEY. That’s the “llogic” of the Left.

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • TheEDGE
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:06pm

      And that Ann Romney, with her “exotic” sport of horse back riding.

      Report Post » TheEDGE  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:28pm

      THEEDGE, You seem to forget that Ann Romney does her hobby, and medical therapy, which is what her equestrian enthusiasm actually is, but she does it all on their dime. Michelle probably only paid for she and her daughters to eat out. But, only after the Secret Service confiscated the silver ware. Her presence anywhere becomes an enormous burden on all of the common people around her.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • TheEDGE
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:32pm

      RJJ- I just find it funny that the MSM would describe riding a horse as exotic. When you leave the city it’s pretty common.

      Report Post » TheEDGE  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:12pm

      THEEDGE, Sorry, I should have caught your sarcasm. It’s been the third Monday of this week. Yeah, the MSM will never credit this as her therapy, even after Cavuto slammed them in a lengthy monologue at the beginning of his show a short while ago. He understands because he has MS too.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:46pm

    I understand these trips with the secret service are not cheap. Just be prepared when the GOP are in office and the storm surrounds ever move the GOP first lady makes or the clothes she wears.

    Report Post » Mutiny  
    • barber2
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:55pm

      Oh, the red herring…..or is it the straw man ? Oh, hell , I know what it is : the usual bull from our stealth Obama Lefties posing as Ron Paul people. LOL.

      Report Post »  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:59pm

      MUTINY, I guarantee the Romneys will not vacation even a small fraction as much as the Obamas. And I also guarantee that Ann Romney will pay for ALL of her own clothes. I know this because the Romneys did not need to seek the White House to be able to afford to live at that ecconomic level. They’ve been there, done that on THEIR OWN DIME already. This is not winning the lottery to the
      .

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:02pm

      That’s been happening for at least a couple of decades now. Remember how the media screamed and ranted about expenses every time W. or the First Lady went anywhere. Also, recall the media compared the expense of the ‘05 inauguration and ball with how many HMMWVs and body armor that could have been purchased instead. Then turned around and bragged about the cost of the 0bama inauguration shindig, which was I believe the most costly ever. Double standard? Imagine that?

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:34pm

      Nah!!! We’re going to love that lady–she has class.

      Report Post »  
    • grand slam grandam
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 8:00pm

      Texas Granny: Ann not only has class, she has no axes to grind. A classy, lovely and loving lady!

      Report Post »  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:45pm

    A week or so ago, HGTV had a show “Celebrity Vacation Homes” which showed Obama’s vacation home in Hawaii. They said it rented for about $8,000 per night. While it was beautiful, I wouldn’t say it was overly ostentatious for the President of our country. Normally, I wouldn’t begrudge our President of something like that, but for someone who bashes the wealthy “fat cats” he sure enjoys living like one of them!

    Report Post » Tigress1  
  • montana-bill
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:43pm

    We live in a communist country and they are the rulling class, get over it.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:52pm

      Right on. Just remember that some Comrades are more equal than others. They are entitled to more of that “ redistributed” stuff / aka the 53% tax payers’ dollars ( 47 % don’t have pay any of this ! )

      Report Post »  
  • forthepeople
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:41pm

    16th vacation in 3 years? Anyone else feel like there getting played ?

    Report Post » forthepeople  
    • BeeDee
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:50pm

      It’s good to be the king! and his wife, too, I’m guessing.

      Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:18pm

      “Played” wasn’t the word I was thinking of; starts with “F.”

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • momrules
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:36pm

      Played or ____? Does anyone but me feel like having a cigarette?

      Report Post »  
  • TheEDGE
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:38pm

    Michelle is out gettin’ her groooove back with that secret service agent.

    Report Post » TheEDGE  
  • zoro51
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:35pm

    REMOPVE THIS EMBARASMENT TO THE USA NOW this vacationing walmart LOSER all she cares for is USEING OUR TAX DOLLARS to FUND her SOCIALIST PLOYS VACA N then says WHY ALL THIS FUSS OVER A DAMN FLAG. her words said at a military cerimocy HONORING the is flag SHE N HER NON AMERICAN BIORN LITTLE DICTATOR HATES.. THROW BESSY UNDER THE BUS… LAZY . **** did jackie kennedy do this crap HELL NO… shows whom had class n whose a LOSER

    Report Post » zoro51  
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