PALM BEACH, Florida –
Cars begin lining up early in the morning to be inspected by Secret Service agents under white tents near the fence surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s vast estate in South Florida.
Famous figures such as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Tesla and X owner Elon Musk appear at breakfasts, lunches and other social gatherings held daily at the opulent Mar-a club -Lake.
Over the weekend, Mike Love, one of the original members of the Beach Boys, performed the band’s greatest hits under an outdoor tent as Trump, followed by Secret Service agents, wandered through the crowd, shaking his fists. to the rhythm of music, according to videos posted online. Elsewhere during the night, he stood with his wife, Melania, near the pool, bobbing his head to the music.
The complex is the “Center of the Universe,” Trump declared on social media Friday, adding, “Bill Gates asked to come tonight.” Representatives for Trump and Gates did not clarify whether the Microsoft co-founder actually joined the parade of figures who traveled to Mar-a-Lago.
But the president-elect’s position reflects the way his resort, where he has largely been holed up since the election, has become a lounge and celebration for his movement. For the people you’ve selected for your administration (and those looking to get jobs or curry favor with the incoming president) it’s the ideal place.
Sightings of those who appear there, usually in photographs posted online or at the occasional public event, offer a glimpse into the workings of Trump’s incoming White House and how he is setting priorities for his office.
They are also renewing concerns about transparency, as the meetings are largely shrouded in secrecy, and raising questions about how Trump benefits financially when club members seeking to influence the new administration stay and eat there.
“It’s unreal,” said James Fishback, an investor who in recent days launched an investment fund in the club’s tea room and dined on the patio. “This is the center of power.”
He recalled standing at the pasta table exchanging words with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump chose to lead the Department of Health.
The winter holidays have been another occasion for Trump celebrations and for big names to come visit him.
President-elect Donald Trump listens with Linda McMahon, right, during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon )
A representative for Zuckerberg confirmed that he joined Trump for dinner the night before Thanksgiving. A video from Christmas Eve showed Trump in one of the resort’s ballrooms filled with guests, dancing to one of his favorite songs, “YMCA” by the Village People, while his daughter Ivanka sat in a gold chair nearby.
It’s unclear what Trump has planned for New Year’s Eve (he has traditionally held a party at the resort), but in his social media post on Friday he boasted: “New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!!” “
During dinners with friends and family, Trump uses the Spotify account on his tablet to play many of the same tunes that were ubiquitous at his campaign rallies. One night, their guest of honor was Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Another night, the honor fell to Akie Abe, the widow of slain Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. And yes, that was Argentine President Javier Milei doing Trump’s “YMCA” dance between the tables at a gala dinner.
During the day, Trump often plays golf at his nearby course with friends, family and allies, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Overall, the atmosphere is a mix of South Florida’s wealthy social scene overlaid with the power dynamics of an executive job fair.
“He’s surrounded by a lot of old friends,” Graham said. “I just know that everyone I know wants a job.”
Musk has been a constant presence in the club, to the point that Trump’s granddaughter Kai wrote on X that he was “reaching uncle status.” Trump has tasked Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy with leading the Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental task force formed to find ways to lay off federal workers, cut programs and cut federal regulations.
Kevin Roberts, president of the think tank behind Project 2025, spoke at an event in December with investors in the club. One of the guests at the small function was Dr. Peter Lamelas, a health care executive, who was later appointed by Trump to be US ambassador to Argentina.
Sometimes Trump relaxes to dine with club members and guests under the patio’s yellow and white awnings. Other times, he addresses large groups for gala events in the ballrooms. At a recent gala for a nonprofit run by Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the song “God Bless the USA,” a Trump favorite, marked the president-elect’s entrance.
“We’re off to a very good start,” Trump told people gathered for the event. He then asked about the whereabouts of Tom Homan, whom he had chosen to be border czar, and joked that Homan was the “central pick.”
“Just relax, Tom. I want you to relax and get ready for the big push,” Trump said.
Trump shared with party guests that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, whom he threatened with a 25% tariff on all imported goods unless she does more to address illegal border crossings and drug flows, “has made progress.” “.
At another recent event at Mar-a-Lago, this one hosted by the America First Policy Institute, the ballroom was filled with recognizable figures from the Trump world, such as Kellyanne Conway, who served as an adviser to the president, and Charlie Kirk, a conservative. activist and founder of Turning Point Action. A copy of the president-elect’s latest book was on the chairs for guests who arrived dressed in dresses and tuxedos.
Upon entering the ballroom, Musk was surrounded by guests, including Kash Patel, whom Trump would later select to head the FBI, before the tech billionaire took a seat at the ballroom’s center table. Musk was later joined there by Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance.
“It’s the place to be and the place to be seen,” said Damián Merlo, a political strategist who advises Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Merlo was at that event as well as another event organized by the Conservative Political Action Committee.
At a recent press conference Trump held at Mar-a-Lago, the president-elect noted the change in mood compared to his first term, saying, “Everyone wants to be my friend.”
In addition to Zuckerberg, Trump has hosted other Silicon Valley executives, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
“The top executives, the top bankers, they’re all calling,” Trump said. “It’s like the complete opposite.”
Actor Russell Brand traveled to the club this month to speak at an event, where he sat down with actor Mel Gibson, former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson and others. Later that night he stood next to a palm tree on the lawn, listening to a bagpiper in a kilt.
Brand later posted a video for X about his experience.
“Pretty surprising,” he said. “Is this real life or am I in a dream?”
Associated Press writer Mary Claire Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.
