Now that former president Donald Trump and his wife Melania call Mar-a-Lago home, what's
their life like there?
Strap in, because here's the truth about Donald and Melania's life at the Palm Beach resort.
Every extravagant party needs an extravagant venue, and that's a memo that Donald and Melania
Trump have certainly received.
Their lives at Mar-a-Lago have consisted of lavish events and celebrations, and it looks
like that won't stop any time soon.
As noted by the Palm Beach Post, a large group of people gathered at Mar-a-Lago on New Year's
Eve to ring in 2021.
Despite the threats of the coronavirus pandemic and transmission risk between guests, people
still congregated on the estate's lavish grounds to ring in the new year.
According to the New York Times, the party attendees included Donald Trump Jr., his girlfriend
Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Rudy Giuliani, who was seen ballroom-dancing with an unknown
female partner to the song "New York, New York."
According to the New York Times, Donald has been known not to venture outside of Mar-a-Lago's
property in the past, and given that his post-presidency has been plagued with impeachment and scandal,
we can't imagine he'll be leaving the grounds any time soon.
The Times also noted that Melania tends to keep a low profile while at Mar-a-Lago, not
dissimilar to her low-key approach to being first lady.
So while the couple will most definitely indulge guests, the locals of Palm Beach will most
likely not see them outside very often.
As The Times put it,
"In the Mar-a-Lago cocoon, the president is in his most comfortable mode, friends and
allies say: playing the jocular host in front of an adoring crowd."
Sounds like quite the lifestyle.
"We very much appreciate your being at Mar-a-Lago."
While in office, Donald Trump was known to often indulge in one of his favorite pastimes:
golf.
Despite criticism, he hit the green on many weekends, and even conducted some political
business over golf games.
And it looks like he'll be able to keep up his habits at Mar-a-Lago, because his new
primary Palm Beach residence is just 15 minutes away from the Trump International Golf Club.
But the former president's favorite activity might be clouded by drama.
As noted by Golf Week, a Palm Beach County official began the process of reviewing the
county's contract with the Trump Organization, hoping to terminate the Trump International
Golf Club's lease.
The chief assistant county attorney, Howard Falcon, told the Palm Beach Post that he was
asked by a county commissioner if the lease with Trump International Golf Club could be
canceled, but maintains that he thinks the county cannot end its lease with Donald, who
pays over $88,000 a month in rent.
So we'll see what happens.
Donald Trump's future at Mar-a-Lago in his post-presidency was met with drama almost
immediately.
As noted by the Washington Post, Donald signed an agreement in the '90s that changed the
Mar-a-Lago estate from a primary residence into a private, membership based club.
In doing so, it stopped Donald from being able to claim Mar-a-Lago as his primary residence.
But after he lost the White House, Donald and Melania made it known that their sights
were set on making Mar-a-Lago home anyway — and the town of Palm Beach, Florida had
some concerns.
Specifically, Palm Beach's attorney recommended to the town council that they allow the Trumps
to reside at Mar-a-Lago, all but forcing the council to come to an on-the-books conclusion.
According to the Post,
"The legal opinion is the latest step in a year-long dispute that could force a decision
by town officials who have been reluctant to take a formal position."
Will the Trumps be allowed to stay permanently?
Time will tell.
By looking at photos of the Mar-a-Lago estate, you can see that it's lavish, gorgeous, and
over-the-top.
The main building is stunning, the grounds look beautiful, there are pools and gardens,
and the property literally sits on the water — what else could you ask for?
Well, as noted by the Palm Beach Post, staying at Mar-a-Lago permanently might be a tad disappointing
for Donald and Melania Trump, as it's technically a downgrade from the Manhattan digs that they
used to call home.
Yes, a downgrade.
Despite the renovations that have been done on Mar-a-Lago's private residence, it's "far
smaller" than the penthouse floors that the Trumps used to live in at Trump Tower, their
primary residence before moving to the White House.
So why don't they just go back to Trump Tower?
Let's just say that the city of New York and the Trumps don't exactly get along anymore.
Looks like they'll just have to abandon the golden cherubs and the Central Park views
from Trump Tower for the not-too-shabby waterfront property they now live on.
Here's a tidbit that many people might not know: air traffic can be diverted away from
wherever the president of the United States is for security purposes — planes typically
aren't even allowed in Washington D.C. airspace.
When he was president, Donald Trump often ventured down to Mar-a-Lago, and because of
his role and in interest of security, planes were not allowed to fly over the estate — which
is a big deal.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Mar-a-Lago is directly under the main flight path of
Palm Beach International Airport, so the air traffic is pretty substantial.
But now that Donald no longer enjoys the privileges of being president, it looks like he's going
to have to put up with the sound of planes landing in what can only be described as his
backyard.
And this isn't going to go over well — Donald once sued Palm Beach International Airport
over the noise of the planes, but as the Post reported, planes are expected to once again
fly directly over the club.
Looks like someone may need to go buy the former President some earplugs.
Mar-a-Lago serves as a private club as well as Donald and Melania Trump's residence, and
many prominent people in the Palm Beach area have memberships.
But in the days of his post-presidency, Donald might see a decline in those membership numbers.
According to the Palm Beach Daily News, the membership fee skyrocketed to $200,000 after
the 2016 election.
Members also have to pay an additional yearly membership fee and have to meet a $2,000 minimum
dining requirement.
Here's an example of a membership gone wrong that illustrates the point.
Billionaire Jeff Greene, who ran for Florida's governorship, became a member in 2010 but
quit in 2019, telling the New York Times that he, quote, "never loved going there."
Unlike other businesses that don't seem to care if you come or go, Greene explained that
Donald took it personally.
Greene told the Times,
"He went right at me, saying, 'I can't believe you quit the club.'
He's figuring someone with plenty of money, why would they care about paying dues for
a club?"
During their time in the White House, Donald and Melania Trump reportedly kept their distance
from each other.
According to Business Insider, Donald and Melania not only had separate bedrooms, but
also lived on entirely different floors.
Melania will be able to keep that up, if she so chooses to, at Mar-a-Lago.
As noted by Town & Country, the mansion features 128 rooms, so if they want to live apart,
they have plenty of space in which to do so.
Donald purchased the estate in 1985 for $5 million, which is about $12 million in 2021.
Trump said in 2014,
"I have 24 acres in Palm Beach and nobody has anything like that.
A big house is on one acre.
I have 24.
It's the great estate of Palm Beach."
While he's technically wrong about that — Mar-a-Lago sits on 20 acres, not 24 — the space will
certainly allow for him and Melania to keep their distance ... just like they allegedly
did at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
"Big meeting at Mar-a-Lago.
We call it the 'southern White House,' which it actually is."
Former presidents are granted Secret Service protection for life, so that will be a part
of Donald and Melania's lives at Mar-a-Lago.
As noted by the Palm Beach Post, a much smaller Secret Service detail will watch over Donald
and Melania.
Additionally, their services may extend to Mar-a-Lago's 500 members, as well as events
held on the estate grounds.
But the scaled-back protection that Donald and Melania will receive at Mar-a-Lago might
not be enough for the former president.
As noted by the Washington Post, Donald reportedly demanded that his family receive the best
security in the world for the six months following his departure from office, and even more,
he wanted it "at no cost."
According to people who were briefed on Donald's wishes, the former president, quote, "issued
a directive to extend post-presidency Secret Service protection to his four adult children
and two of their spouses, who were not automatically entitled to receive it."
Donald and Melania Trump have become synonymous with wealth, power, drama, and gold-plated
everything — and it looks like their lavish reputations will follow them to Mar-a-Lago.
In their new primary residence, the Trumps will get to enjoy some of the most opulent
and outrageous decor, probably not to anyone's surprise.
As noted by Town & Country, Donald paid an extra $3 million when he purchased Mar-a-Lago
so he could acquire the property's antiques and furniture.
Built in 1927 by Post cereal company heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, Mar-a-Lago was
inspired by palaces in Europe, and Spanish-Moorish architecture, and it was all built to exacting
specifications.
Here are some other details that will blow your mind: the estate has a 20,000 square
foot ballroom that features $7 million worth of gold detailing.
Donald also spent $100,000 just so he could have four Mar-a-Lago sinks plated in gold.
If the estate is anything like the Trumps' penthouse in Trump Tower, there will be gold
and lush fabrics and over the top everything everywhere.
Ethics concerns came into question when Donald Trump became president, in part because of
the Trump Organization and his business dealings.
He handed over the reins to his sons, Don Jr. and Eric Trump, but Donald still received
a huge sum of money from Mar-a-Lago while he was in office; it looks like the estate
will continue to generate revenue for him.
As noted by Town & Country, Donald made $15.6 million from Mar-a-Lago in 2014 and $25.1
million from the estate during his first year as president.
The Hill reported that Mar-a-Lago made Donald $21.4 million in 2019 — a slight drop from
the two previous years — and was accompanied by the income Donald received from other Trump
properties.
Of course, Mar-a-Lago and several other Trump properties were closed in March of 2020 due
to the coronavirus pandemic, but according to NBC News, the club partially reopened to
its members just two months later.
Maybe Donald will experience a bit of a revenue drop due to the pandemic, but it looks like
the club will be a huge source of his income in his post-presidency life.
If Trump supporters are known for anything, it's their dedication to Donald Trump.
His rallies were often shown on the news and in photographs as wildly enthusiastic events,
with supporters wearing Trump gear, waving Trump flags, holding Trump signs, and going
to all kinds of lengths to show their dedication.
And according to the Palm Beach Post, it looks like some of that dedication will follow Donald
and Melania Trump to Mar-a-Lago.
Many of Donald's supporters lined the streets of Palm Beach when he arrived after departing
from Washington, D.C. the day of President Joe Biden's inauguration.
Some of those supporters told the Post that they vowed to "continue their vigils" outside
of Mar-a-Lago.
Of course, it will be a little bit more difficult for Trump fans to get a glimpse of their beloved
former president.
Donald's motorcade in his post-presidency life at Mar-a-Lago will be a lot smaller,
and his schedule will no longer be public.
So they'll have to stand outside and hope for the best.
"Very sorry that he's leaving.
I think he's the best thing that ever happened to us."
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