RNC Reports Biden Has Taken More Vacation Time Than Average American Worker in 48 Years
US President Joe Biden has taken a notable amount of vacation time during his presidency, according to a recent analysis by the Republican National Committee (RNC). The data shows that the 81-year-old has spent 532 days on vacation in less than four years, accounting for around 40% of his tenure.
On August 31, 2024, Biden marked his 16th consecutive day on vacation, sparking criticism from political opponents. RNC Research highlighted this on social media, questioning, “Who’s running the country?” Critics have pointed out that the President’s vacation time is considerably more than the average American worker. While the typical U.S. employee receives about 11 days of vacation per year, Biden’s total so far equals roughly 48 years’ worth for the average worker.
Dissenters, including former Trump administration official Mark Paoletta, have voiced concerns over the President’s time away from the office during critical domestic and global events. Paoletta remarked that images of Biden relaxing at the beach “while America and the world is on fire” could become symbolic of his presidency. Issues such as inflation, border security, and international conflicts have been frequently cited by critics as requiring greater attention from the Commander-in-Chief.
In contrast, White House aides have defended Biden’s vacations, arguing that he remains fully engaged with his duties while away and continues to work remotely as necessary. However, the frequency and length of Biden’s time off have prompted further scrutiny, with some, like Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, joking that he might benefit from even more time off.
Comparing Biden’s vacation days with previous presidents reveals that he has taken more personal time than his predecessors. Former President Donald Trump spent 26% of his term on personal trips, while Biden’s ratio stands at 40%. In comparison, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama took breaks for only 11% of their presidencies, and Jimmy Carter had just 79 vacation days during his single term.
