Donald Trump's arrival in Mar-a-Lago would have scared members of this upscale Florida club
Former US President Donald Trump has moved to Mar-a-Lago, a luxury private club in Florida, which he owns. But since his arrival, members of this very posh structure have deserted the premises.
A huge property with light walls, dominated by a tower next to which floats an imposing American flag. This is what Mar-a-Lago's residence in Palm Beach, Southeastern United States looks like.
It is a very select private club, only open to members who come to enjoy luxurious facilities, swimming pool with ocean view or tennis courts. But here it is: in the last few days, "many" of these same members have left the club, American journalist Laurence Leamer, author of a book on the scene, told American television station MSNBC.
In question ? The move of Donald Trump, former President of the United States, on site. Owner of the complex, he moved there after the inauguration of his successor, Joe Biden, on January 20, 2021.
Discretion and prestige
According to Laurence Leamer, behind this trend, we should not see a rejection of the policy pursued by Donald Trump during his mandate. Rather, it evokes a set of factors, including a desire for discretion.
After the billionaire's departure from the White House, he headed straight to Palm Beach, where many of his supporters awaited him. Images, released by US media, show supporters of the ex-president seated by the side of the road, waving flags as the procession of vehicles passes by from the airport to Mar-a-Lago.
It starts badly, for the members of this very posh club, whose new arrivals are all co-opted and where discretion is essential, as the American magazine Town and Country underlined in 2017. Among them, there are in particular real estate developers , business leaders in the finance or energy sector, noted the American daily The New York Times that same year.
Another reason mentioned: during his tenure, Donald Trump visited Mar-a-Lago a lot. He hosted the then Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. All this gave a certain prestige to the places, according to the American television channel CNN.
Once Trump left, the complex would have lost its aura, and therefore its appeal. Especially since according to Laurence Leamer, some members are disappointed with the quality of the services offered here.
As a result, without the arrival of an American president and his power relations, to bring a certain sparkle to the place, some people who frequented the club no longer saw too much point in going there.
These departures, if they were proven and substantial, could have significant consequences for Donald Trump's finances: some members paid up to € 164,000 to have the right to access the club, at the time when he was president.
They would also pay annual charges amounting to some € 11,000, the US broadcaster CNBC reported in 2017. The New York Times reported the club had nearly 500 members in 2017 as well.
Legal issues
This is not the first controversy surrounding the arrival of Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago. Residents of Palm Beach, who live near Mar-a-Lago, protested the former president's move there. In question ? An agreement concluded between the municipality and Donald Trump in 1993, and which makes Mar-a-Lago a club and not a “classic” luxury residence.
There are fiscal reasons behind this, underlines the Swiss daily Le Temps. Because club members can spend no more than 21 days per year in the luxury rooms of the property, and never more than seven days in a row.
It is therefore impossible to live there year-round, as reported in a letter written by residents of Palm Beach and addressed to the town hall, which the American daily The Washington Post consulted about ten days ago.
One question remains, the Associated Press news agency said. Donald Trump, owner of the premises, is he also a member of the club and therefore subject to these rules? The answer will depend, perhaps, on the future place of residence of the former US president.
