On Thursday, December 26, President Joe Biden, accompanied by his family, arrived in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. Their visit, potentially the last unpaid presidential vacation, is taking place at a luxurious beachfront villa owned by a wealthy supporter. The unpaid stay has stirred attention due to Biden’s history of accepting complimentary accommodations from rich business figures.
President Biden, his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, and their daughter Ashley Biden, traveled aboard Air Force One to the extravagant property of Bill and Connie Neville. The Nevilles, who have made their fortune through a software company, own a villa with a built-in pool, private beach access, and sweeping views. The property is typically rented for around $900 a night on VRBO, a well-known vacation rental site.
The Bidens have turned their visit to the Neville residence into an annual event, marking the third consecutive year they have chosen to spend the New Year’s holiday in St. Croix. During their previous visit, President Biden revealed his New Year’s resolution to return the following year.
The Nevilles, who manage the US Viking software company and develop the ENPS content platform promoted by The Associated Press, were invited to Biden’s first state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron in 2022. This event occurred just 26 days ahead of the Bidens’ first presidential visit to the St. Croix property.
Throughout his term, Biden has accepted several free stays at properties owned by wealthy supporters. These include four stays during Thanksgiving week at David Rubenstein’s compound in Nantucket, Massachusetts, a five-day stay at medical technology billionaire Joe Kiani’s ranch in California, and a nine-day stay at Tom Steyer’s Lake Tahoe waterfront retreat in Nevada.
Some critics contend that Biden’s failure to disclose these stays on his annual ethics forms could be a violation of federal law. Intentionally omitting gifts from federal disclosure forms is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison under 18 U.S. Code § 1001. However, the White House argues that existing federal law is vague about the reporting requirements for such stays.
The House Oversight Committee has advocated for reforms to federal ethics laws to boost transparency regarding these matters. Committee Chair James Comer has emphasized the need for improved accountability to the American public concerning these types of agreements between government officials and wealthy supporters.
In August 2023, the Biden family’s stay at Tom Steyer’s Lake Tahoe property sparked controversy when the White House initially claimed the Bidens would pay for their accommodation. This statement led to a brief local investigation into Steyer’s rental permit status. However, the investigation was subsequently dropped without further explanation.
The pattern of accepting unpaid stays started early in Biden’s presidency when his family reached out to Maria Allwin, widow of a notable hedge fund operator, requesting to use her vacation home in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, without payment.
Joe Kiani, who hosted the Bidens at his California ranch for five days, has secured significant government contracts during the Biden administration. Biden also appointed Kiani to an advisory board, leading to Republican criticism of the connection between free accommodations and government access.
The Center for Renewing America, a conservative watchdog organization, filed a complaint with the Department of Justice concerning these undisclosed stays. The complaint specifically references the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, which mandates federal officeholders to report such benefits.
Ethics experts suggest that unless the homeowners are personal friends of the Bidens and were present during the stays, these vacations should have been reported on official disclosure forms. The White House has defended Biden’s transparency record, claiming he has implemented the “strongest ethics rules in history.”
The Nevilles’ St. Croix property, where the Bidens are currently staying, was previously featured in promotional materials highlighting Biden’s visits during his vice presidency. Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, who often stayed at his own properties, raising a different set of ethical issues, Biden has consistently sought accommodations from prominent supporters.
David Rubenstein, whose Nantucket compound has hosted the Bidens for four Thanksgiving-week stays, was given a speaking engagement by President Biden at a Washington lunch in September. Although these stays are assumed to have been unpaid, neither party has confirmed the details.
Reports indicate that Biden has taken over 500 vacation days during his presidency, accounting for approximately 40% of his time in office. For an average American worker with 11 days of vacation per year, this equates to approximately 48 years’ worth of vacation.
Some critics have expressed concern over the frequency and timing of the President’s absences, particularly during periods of national and international crises. As Mark Paoletta, former general counsel of the White House budget office under President Donald Trump, stated, “The image of Biden fast asleep and lying flat on his back in his chair at the beach while America and the world is on fire will define the Biden presidency.”
By comparison, former President Donald Trump spent about 26% of his presidency on personal trips, totaling around 380 days. Other past presidents, such as Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, each spent about 11% of their presidencies on vacation, while Jimmy Carter took a mere 79 days off during his single term, representing 5% of his time in office.
White House aides have defended President Biden’s time away, stating that he remains on call and continues to work remotely during his vacations. According to White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, “Presidents of the United States are constantly on the job, regardless of their location; whether they’re on a state visit overseas or just 100 miles from the White House for a short trip to Wilmington.”
The discussion concerning presidential vacations is not a recent development. Throughout history, presidents have balanced their duties with personal time away from the White House. However, the extent and public perception of these absences often become topics of political and public discourse.
