PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Cars begin lining up early in the morning to be searched by Secret Service agents under a white tent near the fence surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s vast South Florida compound.
Breakfasts, luncheons and other social gatherings held daily at the luxurious Mar-a-Lago Club attract celebrities such as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Tesla and X owner Elon Musk. will appear.
Mike Love, one of the original members of the Beach Boys, played the band’s biggest hit under an outdoor tent over the weekend as President Trump wandered through the crowd, tailed by Secret Service agents and shaking his fists to the music. It was reported that the song was played. Video posted online. At another time in the evening, he was standing next to his wife Melania near the pool, bobbing his head to the music.
President Trump declared on social media Friday that the resort is the “center of the universe,” adding: “Bill Gates asked you to come tonight.” Representatives for Mr. Trump and Mr. Gates would not say whether the Microsoft co-founder actually joined the parade of people visiting Mar-a-Lago.
But the president-elect’s posts reflect how his resort, largely reclusive since the election, has become a salon and festival for his movement. It’s the perfect place for the people he’s chosen for his administration, and for those trying to get jobs or curry favor with the president-elect.
Sightings of those gathered there, usually through photos posted online and occasional public events, give a glimpse into how Trump’s incoming White House will work and how he is setting his priorities as president. You can catch a glimpse of it.
It also renews concerns about transparency, as the meetings are largely shrouded in secrecy, and there are concerns about how Mr. Trump will financially benefit from staying and dining with club members seeking to influence the new administration. Questions have also been raised as to whether they are making any profit.
“It’s kind of surreal,” said James Fishback, an investor who recently launched an investment fund in the club’s tea room and ate in the courtyard. “This is the center of power.”
He recalled standing by the pasta table and exchanging words with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health.
The winter break has also been an opportunity for Trump’s celebrations and celebrity visits.
A representative for Mr. Zuckerberg confirmed that Mr. Zuckerberg attended a dinner with President Trump the night before Thanksgiving. A Christmas Eve video shows President Trump dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “YMCA,” in one of the resort’s ballrooms filled with guests. , his daughter Ivanka sat nearby in a golden chair.
It’s not clear what President Trump had planned for New Year’s Eve, but the president, who has traditionally held celebrations at the resort, wrote in a social media post on Friday: “New Year’s Eve is going to be great. !!!” he boasted.
During dinner with friends and family, Trump uses his Spotify account on his tablet to play many of the same songs that were played at his rallies. One night, his guest of honor was Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On another night, that honor went to Akie Abe, the widow of slain Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Yes, that was Argentine President Javier Millay doing President Trump’s “YMCA” dance between the tables at a gala dinner.
During the day, Mr. Trump often plays golf at nearby courses with friends, relatives and allies like Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Overall, the atmosphere is a combination of South Florida’s money-filled social scene and the power dynamics of an executive job fair.
“He has a lot of old friends around him,” Graham said. “All I know is that everyone wants some kind of job.”
Mr. Musk has been a constant presence at the club, with Mr. Trump’s granddaughter Kai writing in X magazine that Mr. Musk has “earned uncle status.” Mr. Trump tasked Mr. Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswami with leading the Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental task force created to find ways to lay off federal employees, cut programs, and reduce federal regulations. Gave.
Kevin Roberts, president of the think tank behind Project 2025, spoke at a December event that brought together investors at the club. One of the guests at the small event was Dr. Peter Lamelas, a medical executive who was later selected by President Trump to be the U.S. ambassador to Argentina.
Mr. Trump sometimes relaxes under the yellow and white awning in the courtyard while having dinner with club members and guests. You may also address large groups for black tie events in ballrooms. At a recent gala for the nonprofit organization led by Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the song “God Bless the USA,” a favorite of Trump’s, signaled the president-elect’s entrance.
“We’re off to a very good start,” President Trump told those gathered at the event. He then asked about the whereabouts of Tom Homan, who had been selected as Border Emperor, and joked that Homan was from “Central Foundry.”
“Relax, Tom. I want you to relax and get ready for the big move,” Trump said.
President Trump shared with party attendees that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all imported goods unless the country does more to tackle illegal border crossings and drug flows.
At another recent event at Mar-a-Lago, this one sponsored by the America First Policy Institute, the ballroom featured Trump’s favorites, including former presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway and conservative Charlie Kirk. It was filled with famous people from the world. Activist and founder of Turning Point Action. The president-elect arrived wearing a gown and tuxedo, and the president-elect’s latest book was placed on the guest chair.
Once inside the ballroom, Musk was swarmed by guests, including Kash Patel, who would later be chosen by President Trump to head the FBI, as the tech billionaire took a seat at a table in the center of the ballroom. Musk was later joined by Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance.
“This is a place to visit and a place to be seen,” said Damien Merlo, a political strategist who is an advisor to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. Mr. Merlo attended that event as well as another event sponsored by the Conservative Political Action Committee.
“Everyone wants to be my friend,” President Trump said at a recent press conference at Mar-a-Lago, noting that the atmosphere has changed since his first term.
In addition to Zuckerberg, Trump will also be joined by Silicon Valley executives including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. I have entertained.
“All the top executives and bankers are on the phone,” Trump said. “It’s almost the exact opposite.”
Actor Russell Brand visited the club earlier this month to speak at an event, sitting alongside actor Mel Gibson and former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson. Late in the evening, he was standing by a palm tree on the lawn, listening to the sound of a bagpipe player in a kilt.
Brand later posted a video to X about his experience.
“It’s pretty amazing,” he said. “Is this real or in a dream?”
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