$14,000 on make up': The breakdown of Trump's inauguration costs revealed

The New York Times has released a breakdown of costs associated with President Trump's 2017 inauguration.

As part of an investigation into the donations surrounding Mr. Trump's ascension to presidency, it has been revealed private donors raised $107 million (approximately $150 million AUD) for the 72-year-old's inauguration.

This figure is double what was raised for Barack Obama and George W. Bush in both their inaugurations.

Interestingly, $10,000 ($14,000) of that money was spent on makeup for 20 of Mr Trump's aides. Another $30,000 ($41,000) was spent on per diems for contract staff members, which was in addition to the costs spent on their hotels and taxis.
The bill at Trump International hotel alone was $1.5 million.

A large sum of the money, the Times reports, is unaccounted for, including $6.4 million ($8.9 million) in hotel blocks booked for guests who "ended up booking their own accommodation". Roughly $5 million ($7 million) was donated to charity.

Emmett S. Beliveau, chief executive of Barack Obama's inaugural committee, called Trump's spending "astronomical".
The high costs associated with President Trump's inauguration is due to the Republican candidate's desire to "make a grand entrance", people familiar with the events told the Times.

The news of these costs is another blow to a presidency that has been dotted with controversy. The US government is currently in the longest shutdown in history due to President Trump's immigration agenda causing disagreement between the parties.