On January 18, 2017, Donald Trump, then the 45th President-elect of the United States, posted to ’ Posted a photo of yourself.
As he prepares to re-enter the White House as the 47th president on January 20 next year, there is a high possibility that his private residence, Mar-a-Lago, an ultra-luxurious resort in Palm Beach, Florida, will function as a ‘second White House’ or ‘White House of the South’. This is because President-elect Trump prefers warm weather and finds Mar-a-Lago very comfortable, so he enjoys working there. In fact, Mar-a-Lago is where diplomatic envoys from various countries, including Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong, rushed to visit immediately after his election was confirmed on the 5th, and where the transition committee, which has been in operation since the 6th, has established its home. President-elect Trump has also been staying at Mar-a-Lago since shortly after his election.
The U.S. Secret Service recently significantly strengthened security for President-elect Trump and the Mar-a-Lago area. The New York Post reported that a high-tech ‘robotic patrol dog’ with a warning sign saying ”Do not pet” has also recently appeared here.
● During his first term, he stayed for 142 days and engaged in normal diplomacy.
Mar-a-Lago means ‘from the sea to the lake’ in Spanish. It was built in 1927 by Marjorie Meriwether Post, heir to the famous cereal company Post, and is located about 1,600 km from the White House in Washington, D.C., the capital.
It is a membership-based commercial complex with 58 suites, an ultra-luxury restaurant that serves ‘well-done’ steak enjoyed by President-elect Trump, and a nearby golf course. However, membership prices, subscription criteria, membership size and aspects, etc. are kept secret. Some predict the membership price to be $1 million (about 1.4 billion won). Palm Beach, where Mar-a-Lago is located, is also one of the wealthiest villages in the United States.
‘New York real estate tycoon’ President-elect Trump purchased this mansion in 1985. At the time, it was used as a means of expanding one’s business and as a stage for social activities among the upper class.
Mar-a-Lago transformed into the center of the international diplomatic stage following President-elect Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election. President-elect Trump held meetings here with leaders of major countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his first term in office. He spent most of his itinerary at Mar-a-Lago, ignoring Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland near the White House. According to the Washington Post, he visited Mar-a-Lago a total of 32 times during his four-year term and stayed for 142 days. When he left office, he was accused of leaking classified White House documents to every corner of Mar-a-Lago. This is why some describe Mar-a-Lago as a ‘controversial place.’
President-elect Trump met here again this year as the Republican presidential candidate, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former British Foreign Minister David Cameron. CBS already reported in April that “Trump’s associates urged embassies in each country to send diplomatic envoys to Mar-a-Lago in advance.”
It is customary for past U.S. presidents to hold meetings with foreign leaders at their homes rather than the White House, as former President George W. Bush also invited leaders of major countries to his Texas ranch. However, given that Mar-a-Lago is more than just a private residence and is a commercial facility aimed at generating profit, there has always been criticism of conflict of interest, such as “using the presidency to make money.” According to the New York Times (NYT), Mar-a-Lago Resort made a net profit of $22 million (about 30.8 billion won) in 2022 alone.
Mar-a-Lago was transformed into the headquarters of MAGA (Make America Great Again), his core supporters, during the 2020 presidential election. In particular, people who enjoy extreme and conspiracy theories, such as denying President-elect Trump’s defeat in the presidential election, held rallies in this area to support him.
● Already functioning as a base for regime takeover operations
President-elect Trump’s transition team has already started selecting about 4,000 key positions for the next administration here. Trump’s presidential campaign co-chair Suzy Wiles, who was selected as his White House chief of staff on the 7th, also assisted the president-elect here for a long time, to the point where she heard the president-elect say, “He, not me, is in charge of Mar-a-Lago.”
As was the case during his first term in office, there is a high possibility that President-elect Trump will greet the leaders of major countries here.
It is highly likely that he, a golf enthusiast who is known to go out for a round once every five or six days during his term, will conduct ‘golf diplomacy’ by inviting leaders close to him like former Prime Minister Abe. In fact, it is known that the nearby golf course owned by President-elect Trump is equipped with conference facilities where a summit can be held.
Tony Holt Kramer, head of the Trump support group Trumpet USA and a close associate of the president-elect, also emphasized, “Gorgeous Palm Beach (Mar-a-Lago) is better than unsophisticated Washington (White House).”
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Expert on U.S. Presidential Diplomacy and Mar-a-Lago Influence
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our interview today! With Donald Trump set to re-enter the White House as the 47th President, there’s renewed interest in his private residence, Mar-a-Lago. Joining us is Dr. Emily Carter, an expert in U.S. presidential history and diplomacy. Emily, thank you for being here!
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s a fascinating time in U.S. politics, and Mar-a-Lago’s role is quite intriguing.
Editor: Absolutely! As noted in recent reports, Mar-a-Lago may serve as a “second White House.” What makes this location so significant for President Trump?
Dr. Carter: Mar-a-Lago is more than just a luxury resort; it’s a strategic hub for Trump. He prefers the warmer climate and has developed a comfort level there that he doesn’t necessarily feel in the White House. You can see how important that setting is for his diplomatic engagements, especially when world leaders are involved.
Editor: In his first term, Trump spent a remarkable 142 days at Mar-a-Lago. What does this tell us about his presidential approach to diplomacy?
Dr. Carter: It underscores his preference for informal settings over traditional diplomatic venues. His frequent visits allowed him to conduct meetings outside the constraints of the formal White House environment. Many significant diplomatic talks, like those with Xi Jinping and Shinzo Abe, took place there, suggesting he values the relaxed atmosphere for serious discussions.
Editor: There have been concerns about conflicts of interest, given that Mar-a-Lago is also a for-profit establishment. What implications does this have for presidential ethics?
Dr. Carter: This is one of the most contentious issues. Critics argue that Trump uses his presidency to promote his business interests, undermining the idea of a separation of powers. The fact that Mar-a-Lago generated $22 million in profit in 2022 alone raises valid questions about the appropriateness of such engagements at a commercial venue. It invites scrutiny on whether these meetings serve national interests or his personal interests.
Editor: The use of a private residence for official diplomatic meetings isn’t completely unprecedented, though. How does this compare with previous presidents?
Dr. Carter: That’s a great point! Former President George W. Bush hosted leaders at his Texas ranch, but the key difference is the commercial aspect of Mar-a-Lago. While past presidents engaged in similar practices, they weren’t using a private business that was actively generating revenue from their presidential activities. This blurring of lines creates a unique dynamic that raises more ethical concerns.
Editor: And let’s not forget the new security measures that have been implemented at Mar-a-Lago, including a robotic patrol dog. What does this indicate about the evolving security landscape for the president?
Dr. Carter: The enhanced security reflects the increasing concerns over safety and the importance of protecting presidential privacy, especially at locations like Mar-a-Lago, which are more vulnerable than the fortified White House. It symbolizes a dual reality of presidential life where personal preferences collide with national security measures.
Editor: As we look toward the future and Trump’s potential second term, how should we anticipate the role of Mar-a-Lago evolving in his presidency?
Dr. Carter: If history is a guide, I think we will continue to see Mar-a-Lago playing a central role in his administration. It has already proven to be an effective venue for both political fundraising and diplomacy. Trump’s relationship with Mar-a-Lago will likely redefine parts of how presidential business is conducted, potentially setting new precedents for future leaders.
Editor: Fascinating insights, Emily! Thank you for your expertise on this topic. As we approach January, everything at Mar-a-Lago will be under a spotlight. We appreciate you taking the time to join us today.
Dr. Carter: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to discuss these compelling issues. I look forward to seeing how this all unfolds!