As Washington, D.C., prepares for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, some residents are organizing Airbnb protests while hotel prices soar to unprecedented levels.
Hosts are removing their properties from the short-term rental market or raising rates to donate proceeds to liberal causes, while travelers face skyrocketing costs and limited options.
In a letter shared with community organizations and local officials, Airbnb host Stacy Kane called on others to act.
“This will show Trump supporters who are coming into the DMV that we do not welcome hate, misogyny, or intentions to take over D.C.,” Kane wrote.
Kane, who has been at the forefront of the movement, described the effort as a way for residents to make their opposition known.
“We’re trying to make any kind of difference that we can in the situation we find ourselves in as D.C. residents and just as human beings right now,” Kane told local reporters.
Participation in the Airbnb boycott has been minimal, with only a handful of hosts signing on.
Additionally, Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC, expressed doubt about the initiative’s impact. “People will say, ‘Let’s protest,’ and some will, but most won’t. They’ll try to find a way to maximize revenue,” Ferguson said.
Meanwhile, hotel prices in the city have reached staggering levels. According to “The Hotel Report,” entry-level rooms range from $650 to $2,800 per night, and many hotels are already fully booked. Florida hotelier Danny Gaekwad, who reserved rooms months ago, said he encountered non-refundable policies while trying to make adjustments.
“This is price gouging,” Gaekwad told “The Hotel Report.” “They told me, ‘You didn’t read the fine print.’”
High prices during presidential inaugurations are not unusual. Past events have seen similar demand spikes.
During Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, hotel rates averaged $600 per night, with occupancy nearing 98%. Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 saw rates rise as much as 900% above seasonal averages, according to “The Hotel Report.”
Further, bookings at District hotels rose when Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden in the 2024 election, which could have led to America’s first woman and Black female commander-in-chief.
John Breyault of the National Consumers League said high-demand events often result in steep rates but do not usually meet the legal definition of price gouging.
“There’s a limited amount of supply in the Washington, D.C., hotel market, and a lot of people are going to be here,” Breyault said.
Washington.org reported that D.C. has 149 hotels offering 33,639 rooms, while the broader metropolitan area includes 772 hotels with 112,999 rooms. Despite this capacity, significant events like inaugurations consistently result in surging prices and fully booked accommodations.
“We’re not just hosts,” Kane said in an interview. “We’re part of this community, and we want to stand for what’s right.”
