Trump to take only $1 as presidential salary, no vacations
14 Nov 2016
US President-elect Donald Trump has said he would take only a nominal $1 as salary a year and not the $400,000 that comes with the president's job, and will also not take any vacations.
Asked whether he was going to take the president's salary, 70-year-old Trump said, ''No, I'm not gonna take the salary. I'm not taking it,'' confirming a promise he made in a campaign video in September.
Trump announced his decision on Sunday in an interview for the CBS "60 Minutes" TV programme - his first television appearance after winning the 8 November elections.
''I think I have to by law take $1, so I'll take $1 a year. But I don't even know what it (a US President's salary) is,'' Trump said.
''We have so much work. There's so much work to be done. And I want to get it done for the people,'' he said. ''I want to get it done. We're lowering taxes, we're taking care of health care. I mean, there's just so much to be done. So I don't think we'll be very big on vacations, no,'' Trump said.
Trump has amassed a large fortune with television shows, hotels, casinos and real estate businesses.
Trump also defended his controversial decision to refuse releasing any of his tax returns during the election campaign and said he will release his returns "at the appropriate time".
Trump also commented about the recent protests across the country after the election when tens of thousands of people have marched against him for five consecutive days in the "Not my President" anti-Trump protest.
"I am so saddened to hear that. And I say, Stop it. If it helps. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it," the Manhattan billionaire said when asked about the incidents.
Trump, who will take office on 20 January, told protesters not to fear his presidency.
