Why bother owning a vacation home when you’ve got friends in high places?
President Joe Biden, fresh from blowing out 81 candles on his birthday cake, has been living the good life, eschewing his own fairly humble lodgings (aside from the White House, of course) for opulent stays at the homes of some of America’s wealthiest and most politically connected figures.
For the better part of two decades, the Bidens have trotted across the country, setting foot in a series of luxurious abodes amounting to a staggering $84 million.
Thanks to the graciousness of Democratic benefactors, the first couple’s holiday jaunts have resembled a high-profile house tour, hitting destinations like Nantucket, Lake Tahoe, Kiawah Island, and St. Croix.
This Thanksgiving, the Bidens are setting up camp at David Rubenstein’s Nantucket estate, a 13,000-square-foot paradise nestled on a 14-acre private compound. The allure of a swimming pool, hot tub, and tennis court within the premises beckons the presidential clan for their holiday respite.
The grandeur doesn’t stop there. Let’s take a peek at the Biden family’s luxurious sojourns over the years.
Nantucket — $38.9 million
For over four decades, the Bidens have made the annual pilgrimage to Nantucket, settling in at the waterfront compound of private equity mogul David Rubenstein, 74, as of late.
The estate, purchased for a mere $8 million in 1998, has since ballooned into a lavish haven with an 8,000-square-foot main residence flanked by five additional structures, including a guest house and a pool pavilion.
Rubenstein’s rare visits to this picturesque abode — a mere 12 days a year — underscore the elite status of this getaway.
Biden’s ties to Nantucket date back to his US senatorial days, with recent records indicating his rental of Rubenstein’s home since 2014, now graciously gifted to the Bidens for the annual holiday.
The property — located in Abrams Point, a historic locale steeped in Native American heritage — sits off Polpis Road, named in honor of Abram Quary, one of the last surviving Wampanoag Native Americans.
Rubenstein’s resume is rich with affluence and influence.
A co-founder of The Carlyle Group, he ascended to billionaire status alongside William Conway Jr. and Daniel D’Aniello, building an empire by purchasing and profitably selling companies, notably in defense industries.
His shift toward philanthropy and public engagements now dominates his schedule, from speeches to hosting a show for Bloomberg TV.
Before his ascent in business, Rubenstein’s legal expertise and political acumen landed him roles in President Jimmy Carter’s administration, serving as a deputy domestic policy adviser.
Rubenstein’s philanthropic pursuits include multimillion-dollar donations to repair the Washington Monument after a 2011 earthquake and funding initiatives at the National Zoo, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Duke University, among others.
Rubenstein’s benevolent spirit also extends to his children, lavishing them with Ivy League educations but refraining from trust funds.
Lake Tahoe, Nevada — $20 million
When Biden and his entourage set out for fun this past summer, they didn’t just pick any old spot — they headed for the waterside paradise owned by none other than Biden’s 2020 Democratic primary rival, Tom Steyer.
Nestled within the exquisite three-acre expanse of Lake Tahoe is Steyer’s sprawling $20 million waterfront estate, a haven that played host to the Bidens for nearly a week.
The clan — Joe, Jill, and Hunter Biden, along with his wife, Melissa Cohen, and their son Beau, Ashley Biden, granddaughters Maisy and Naomi, and Naomi’s husband, Peter Neal — turned this luxurious retreat into a family affair.
Described as one of Lake Tahoe’s prime properties, Steyer’s six-bedroom sanctuary, within the exclusive Glenbrook community, boasts unrivaled amenities.
From a lakeside gazebo overlooking Glenbrook Bay to meticulously groomed lawns and cozy hearths, this estate exudes opulence.
Not to mention it flaunts direct access to the sandy shores below, epitomizing waterfront extravagance.
Steyer, once a contender for the Democratic nomination against Biden, snagged this architectural gem in 2007 for a cool $15 million.
The White House was quick to clarify in August that the Bidens weren’t crashing at the Steyer mansion for free — they’d be shelling out “fair market value” for their lakeside escapade.
“The First Family is renting a private home for their stay in Lake Tahoe,” read the White House statement. “The home belongs to Tom Steyer and (wife) Kat Taylor. The First Family is renting the home for fair market value.”
But insiders told The Post at the time that the Bidens have paid a lot less than “fair market value.”
As a co-founder of Galvanize Climate Solutions, Steyer’s advocacy and investments in climate initiatives have garnered attention.
The billionaire San Francisco activist shot to fame by dropping a hefty $10 million on an ad campaign pushing for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump in 2017 — and he spent millions more.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina — $20 Million
The lap of luxury extends to South Carolina’s Kiawah Island, where the Bidens have relished lavish vacations courtesy of Maria Allwin, a Democratic donor.
The Bidens indulged in a week-long stay last year at the sprawling nine-bedroom estate owned by Allwin, a stalwart in Democratic Party circles and widow of New York hedge fund luminary James Allwin.
And the cherry on top? They didn’t pay a cent.
The estate, a colossal 10,500-square-foot beachfront paradise, stands tall within the elite Kiawah Island community, boasting opulence that matches its stunning ocean vistas.
Allwin’s abode, nestled on a 2.07-acre oceanfront expanse, radiates architectural brilliance. Its allure —underscored by a private 400-foot driveway leading to a saltwater pool with a picturesque ocean backdrop — paints a picture of extravagance.
Allwin shared her resplendent retreat with guests including Hunter Biden, Melissa Cohen, and their children.
Kiawah Island itself, a jewel on South Carolina’s coast, is renowned for its exclusive oceanfront golf resort. Sitting a mere 25 miles from Charleston, it’s a coveted destination for the elite seeking both solace and indulgence.
The estate’s history, rooted in the Allwin family’s legacy, embodies sophistication and philanthropy.
James Allwin founded the investment management firm Aetos Capital and served as a fervent supporter of education programs like Communities in Schools.
St. Croix — $4 million
For their 2023 New Year’s holiday, the Bidens touched down in the US Virgin Islands, frolicking at the three-bedroom villa owned by billionaire Democratic donors Bill and Connie Neville.
While many were bundled up for the holidays, Biden opted for a sun-kissed escape, returning to his beloved spot in St. Croix last December.
The Nevilles, known for their software fortune, hosted the Bidens for Caribbean splendor, offering up their luxurious retreat free of charge.
The Neville property is located on Solitude Bay and touts its own pool, along with sea views.
It features colorful bedrooms, rugs, and a spacious layout.
Nestled in a private community boasting its own stretch of sandy beach, the home offers an idyllic haven that typically serves as a vacation rental.
For the Bidens, this retreat has become a customary New Year’s ritual.
The US Virgin Islands have symbolic significance — Point Udall, on the easternmost point of St. Croix, offers the first sunrise of the new year.
The getaway drew outrage last year as Biden lounged in the warmth while parts of the country battled harsh winter conditions that led to numerous flight cancellations and unfortunate fatalities.
The arrangement also turned heads because the home typically is a VRBO rental and because the Nevilles just weeks earlier gained access to Biden’s first state dinner, honoring French President Emmanuel Macron, joining about 300 guests including many billionaires and political and cultural power brokers.
Biden’s affinity for the Virgin Islands is well-established, stretching back to post-election visits following his 2008 victory.
He visited St. Croix at least five times between 2014 and 2016, plus at least one additional time to celebrate New Year’s Day less than four months before launching his presidential campaign in 2019.
Biden faces backlash for unreported vacations
These escapades paint a picture of indulgence — and they haven’t escaped scrutiny.
Biden has faced backlash for failing to list these stays as gifts on his financial disclosure forms, raising ethical eyebrows and drawing comparisons to the recent scrutiny of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Reports in May raised issue with three beach getaways.
These undisclosed retreats, provided by affluent and politically linked hosts, sparked allegations of circumventing transparency norms.
The criticism escalated when ethics experts like Walter Shaub and Richard Painter, with experience spanning multiple administrations, highlighted the necessity of divulging such stays.
Painter told The Post that any gratis stay, especially if the homeowner isn’t present, should be meticulously disclosed, a sentiment echoed by Shaub, the former head of the Office of Government Ethics under President Barack Obama.
This recent spotlight on Biden’s undisclosed travels spans his tenure as vice president and extends to his private citizen status in 2019, triggering questions about unreported stays during these periods.
Administration reps did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Post about whether Biden is paying for his latest vacation — his Thanksgiving stay at Rubenstein’s Nantucket mansion.