The role of President of the United States is no walk in the park at the best of times, but as the Leader of the Free World there are some rather special perks that come with the job. 

Read on to see what Joe Biden and his predecessors have got to enjoy.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Air Force One was one particular plane. In fact, any plane that the President boards becomes Air Force One. But, typically, the President has two Boeing 747-200B jets he regularly flies, which have perfect safety records and the ability to survive the electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear detonation. According to a Freedom of Information Act request, each Air Force One 747 is said to cost an eye-watering $206,000 per hour to run.

Each aircraft has 85 phones and 19 TVs, and can be refueled in the air. There’s a personal suite for the President with an office, bathroom, bedroom, and gym. And if the President gets injured mid-flight, not to worry, there’s even a doctor and an operating theater on board.

The Trump administration negotiated a new deal with Boeing to produce the next versions of the "airborne Oval Offices" for $3.9 billion, set to be complete in 2024, although there are rumors they are behind schedule. While they are set to feature many of the same technical capabilities, Trump reportedly planned for these planes to be painted a bold red, white, and blue color scheme, rather than the duck-egg blue as it has done since John F. Kennedy's time as President. Joe Biden shelved that plan. Boeing revealed last year that renegotiating the deal for the planes cost it at least $1.9 billion.

For short journeys, such as to Camp David from the White House, the President uses one of the Marine One helicopters, which are known as "white tops" because of their paint job. Only four pilots from HMX-1 squadron, aka "The Nighthawks," have the privilege of flying Marine One each year. The Obama administration signed up to an estimated $1.2 billion contract with Sikorsky to build 21 operational and two test helicopters.

Trump's version of the limousine-style car was delivered in 2018 with a $1.5 million price tag. That's not all. The bespoke car is part of a fleet of 12, which cost around $15.8 million in 2016. The armor is at least five inches thick to protect against attack and the tires can keep on rolling even when punctured. It can even shoot tear-gas and smoke grenades! Extras include an oxygen supply, a firefighting function, and even a supply of the President’s blood type in the boot. 

Joe Biden was already familiar with these two buses from his time as Veep. Introduced during Obama's presidency when the President was traveling the country prior to the 2012 election campaign, these two black armored buses are used for the President and dignitaries alike. Lacking any logos, the sleek black vehicles are part of the federal government fleet. Known as Ground Force One, each one costs a little over $1 million.

The White House annual household expenses (not policy operations) are an estimated $1.4 billion, according to author John F. Groom, with even the flower bill an estimated $252,000. The mansion has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, wings, and grand halls. Not to mention the security, personal chefs, and chief usher at their beck and call. 

No one, not even the First Spouse is allowed to enter the Oval Office without permission. Before entering, he or she must ask the guard outside first. If the President doesn’t want to be disturbed by anyone, even the First Spouse will be left out in the hallway.

The President receives a budget of $100,000 to redecorate the White House. However, President Trump reportedly spent a mighty $1.75 million on redecorating when he moved in, but it remains unclear who paid the bill.

In the White House there’s a 40-seat movie theater with La-Z-Boys front-row seats, a bowling alley installed by Harry S Truman, a pool, tennis, and basketball courts installed by the Obamas – and even its own "Beehive" where fresh honey is produced and fresh veggies are grown.  

M&Ms in special Presidential Seal boxes (a favorite of Barack Obama), free soda from Coke, and Pepsi dotted around the White House – these are just some of the snacks available whenever you want as the President. 

Anyone hard at work in the West Wing at 5pm every day can have free French fries. And if that’s not enough, on Fridays everyone gets French fries and frozen yogurt with smashed Oreos crumbled on top.

Michelle Obama launched the White House garden, inviting West Wing staffers and local children to help grow fresh fruit and vegetables there. Melania Trump continued the tradition of hosting school children to help in the garden. So far Joe Biden's wife Dr Jill Biden has maintained the space.

Annually, presidential vacations cost around $20 million (the low estimate for one presidential vacation to Hawaii is $4 million, but the true cost is probably five times that). Secret Service expenses for the Obamas' 2013 Hawaii Christmas vacation (pictured) are said to have cost taxpayers $317,000. 

Camp David was built by Franklin D. Roosevelt for $25,000 in 1935, and at just 70 miles from Washington DC it’s the perfect retreat location. The site has 11 residence cabins, an office cabin, a swimming pool, skeet-shooting range, and a bowling alley. 

The US Navy operates the White House Mess and has to make sure the President has fabulous food all around the world. The chefs also won't be struggling with their salary, as the Executive Chef rakes in an annual paycheck of $100,000. 

Blair House, a complex of four connected townhouses, is the President’s official state guest house. It has 119 rooms including more than 20 bedrooms, four dining rooms, 35 bathrooms, a gym, flower shop, and hair salon. 

In 2001, Congress raised the presidential salary from $200,000 to $400,000, and on top of that the president also gets an annual expense account of $50,000, plus $100,000 for travel expenses, and there’s $19,000 put aside for official entertaining. The salary is taxable like for everyone else, but these expense accounts aren’t.

The president’s plain looking briefcase is not as innocent as it looks, as there’s a communications device inside that lets the president activate a nuclear attack anywhere in the world. Scary stuff if it’s not in safe hands! 

Life as as an ex-president is not all doom and gloom as they still get a whopping $199,000-a-year pension. Not only that, they can receive medical treatment at military hospitals, compensation for relocating offices, travel expense allowances, and staff. And personal security for life after their service.

Many people are fascinated with the lives ex-presidents have led, so what better way than to release a book about their experiences. George W. Bush made $7 million for the first 1.5 million copies of Decision Points and Bill Clinton scored a $15 million advance for his book My Life. Meanwhile Barack Obama had a joint book deal with his wife Michelle Obama which was worth a huge $65 million when they signed it in 2017. Michelle's first book Becoming was released in 2018 and was the best-selling book of that year in the US, and sold 14 million copies worldwide by November 2020. The former First Lady now has three best-selling books to her name. 

Once their time in office is over, presidents are free to charge for speaking arrangements and appearances. Bill Clinton has seen his net worth rise from $12 million to an incredible $120 million since his presidential retirement.  

Presidents are constantly surrounded by the Secret Service, just as President Trump was at his inauguration (pictured from above). But this safety precaution isn't just for when a President is in office, and it is maintained into retirement. That means that a large budget is put aside for President protection. In 2017 alone it cost $1.9 billion, according to Homeland Security.

To save the president’s family the cost of a funeral, every ex-president will have a state funeral, just as the former Leader of the Free World would deserve. J.F. Kennedy's funeral cost $40 million, while Ronald Reagan's is said to have cost over $400 million – as 1.8 million government workers were given a day off. 

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