The question of President Trump’s salary came up again on Monday afternoon during a daily White House press briefing.
A journalist asked whether the president had already donated the first part of his salary at the end of February. Trump previously pledged to forgo his presidential salary. According to Cornell University Law School, the president is paid $400,000 a year, on a monthly basis. The commander in chief also receives an additional expense allowance of $50,000 a year.
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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer described how Trump planned to make donations.
“The president’s intention right now is to donate his salary at the end of the year, and he has kindly asked that you all help determine where that goes,” Spicer said, explaining that the press would have a say in where the donations went.
Spicer said that leaving the decision up to the press would help “avoid scrutiny.”
Trump promised in September that he would not take his presidential salary.
"As far as the salary's concerned, I won't take even one dollar. I am totally giving up my salary if I become president," he said during a Twitter Q & A.
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If Trump follows through with that pledge, he will join White House history as the third president to opt out of the presidential salary. Herbert Hoover and John F. Kennedy, the 31st and 35th presidents, also opted out of a salary.
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