For example, Trump donated $100,000 payments during several quarters in 2019 and 2020, including money directed towards efforts involving the opioid crisis, coronavirus response and national monument restoration. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) US President Donald Trump has complained that he receives little recognition for giving up the presidential salary, saying nobody thanks him for foregoing the money. “I don't take my salary. Do I get thanks for it? None,” Trump said. “Nobody says, ‘Thank you very much, sir.’ Oh boy, oh boy,” he added. Trump's comments have again drawn attention to his decision regarding the compensation attached to the presidency. Under US law, the president is entitled to an annual salary of $400,000, paid monthly, along with a separate $50,000 expense allowance for official duties. The $400,000 figure has been in place since 2001. However, describing Trump as simply not receiving a presidential salary needs some clarification. During his first term, from 2017 to 2021, Trump pledged to donate his presidential salary. His White House announced a series of quarterly payments to federal agencies, including the National Park Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security. Several of those payments were independently confirmed by the recipient agencies. For example, Trump donated $100,000 payments during several quarters in 2019 and 2020, including money directed towards efforts involving the opioid crisis, coronavirus response and national monument restoration. There is, however, an important qualification. Public records do not establish with complete certainty that every dollar of his salary was donated throughout the entire first term. The Washington Post reported that Trump's last publicly documented salary donation came in July 2020, leaving questions over payments during the final months of his presidency. Trump returned to the White House for a second term in January 2025. In August 2025, he announced that his first presidential paycheck of the new term had been donated to the White House Historical Association for renovations and preservation work. So, while Trump has repeatedly chosen to donate presidential pay rather than personally retain it, the presidency itself remains a paid office. His latest complaint is therefore about receiving no personal financial benefit from the salary — and, in his view, receiving little public appreciation for giving it away. Working as Copy Editor at the Business Desk of Times Now Digital. Dedicated towards crafting interesting financial stories. Previously covered financi... View More