What goes on in and around Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach? See for yourself
By Miami Herald Archives
Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach is a private club owned by President Donald Trump.
Miami Herald File
With Donald Trump’s election as the next president, Mar-a-Lago is once again in the spotlight.
Trump’s Palm Beach mansion is a combo deal: social setting, resort — and second White House.
During his first term, Trump not only used Mar-Lago as a place for some R & R while golfing at his nearby course, he also hosted world leaders and U.S. officials at the mansion.
Trump bought the mansion and a neighboring oceanfront parcel, formerly owned by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, in 1985 for $10 million cash.
The mansion had been the subject of three failed sales in three years. The Marriott hotel chain, two friends of country singer Tammy Wynette and a Houston land developer all had negotiated to buy the mansion.
The mansion, often considered a monument to Roaring ‘20s ostentation, stretches from the Intracoastal to the Atlantic Ocean. When Trump bought it in 1985, it had 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms, three bomb shelters, a theater, a ballroom and a nine-hole golf course.
Mar-a-Lago is an eclectic mix of Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese architectural sytles. Post, heiress to the cereal maker’s fortune, entertained ambassadors and dignitaries at the mansion. For nearly 30 years, she and her several husbands, including E.F. Hutton, were Palm Beach’s social forces.
After Post died in 1973, her family willed Mar-a-Lago to the U.S. Department of the Interior as a retreat for presidents and heads of state. Seven years later, the federal government returned Mar-a-Lago to the Post Foundation because of the $1 million yearly maintenance bill.
Let’s take a look through the Miami Herald photo archives at what has happened inside Mar-a-Lago during the Trump years:
INSIDE THE MANSION
An interior view of the opulent Club Mar-a-Lago on Palm Beach Miami Herald File
In March 2016, the White and Gold Ballroom at Mar-A-Lago is set up for Donald J. Trump’s Super Tuesday press conference, Palm Beach, Florida. Miami Herald File via Palm Beach Post
Photographers set up for a Donald J. Trump Super Tuesday press conference at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on March 1, 2016. Miami Herald File via Palm Beach Post
A 2005 fashion show the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. Marsha Halper Miami Herald File
A fashion show model strides along the runway at Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach in 2005. Marsha Halper Miami Herald File
The Venetian room at Mar-a-Lago shown before an auction of furniture and decorative items. Miami Herald File
In 1997, Miss Universe, Alicia Machado, left, checks out the exercise equipment at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday. She’s with Dr. Ginger Southall, a personal trainer at the club. Machado worked out at the club, and Donald Trump appeared with her to show his support for her. Miami Herald File via Palm Beach Post
Singer Tony Bennett performs for about 400 Club Mar-a-Lago members in 1999. Pete Stachiw Miami Herald File
At a preview of the Club Mar-a-Lago for club members, Donald Trump, Marla and daughters (L) Ivanka (13) and Tiffany (1 1/2) pose for photos. Miami Herald File
The White and Gold Ballroom at Mar-A-Lago is setup for Donald J. Trump’s Super Tuesday press conference at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on Tues., March 1, 2016. Allen Eyestone The Palm Beach Post
These classified documents were found in Mar-a-Lago, along with several thousand misappropriated packets of White House ketchup. Miami Herald File
OUTSIDE THE MANSION
After restoration, the lantern gate boy was back in its position in 1999 at the entrance to Club Mar-a-Lago. Pictured with lantern boy is Richard Haynes who did the restoration. Pete Stachiw photo Pete Stachiw Miami Herlad File
A worker restoring a piece at Mar-a-Lago in 1999. Pete Stachiw Miami Herald File
A Palm Beach police unit guards the roads around former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach in September 2024. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
A U.S. Coast Guard vessel patrols the waters around former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach after an assassination attempt at his nearby Trump International Gulf Club, on Sept. 16, 2024. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion resort in Palm Beach. Charles Trainor Jr. Miami Herald File
DONALD TRUMP AT THE MANSION
In 2019, the prime minister of St. Lucia, Allen Chastanet, left, greets members of the media before the start of an official meeting. President Donald Trump met with leaders from the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and St. Lucia at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach. Jose A. Iglesias Miami Herald File
Donald Trump and Jorge Perez of the Related Group speaking to the media at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Miami Herald File
Donald Trump arrives before a news conference where he discussed his campaign status on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
President Trump on the steps of his private club and retreat, Mar-a-lago. Miami Herald File
U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna posted this image to Twitter, hours after a group of Republican members of Congress from Florida met with former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Miami Herald File
Donald Trump stands with Trump Media’s Truth Social investors and supporters at Mar-a-Lago in 2021, including Patrick Orlando and Andrew Dean Litinsky to Trump’s left and Wes Moss and William Wilkerson, standing behind Donald Trump Jr., to Trump’s right. Miami Herald File
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago after winning Florida’s primary election at on March 15, 2016. Miami Herald File via Palm Beach Post
Former President Donald Trump with Digital World Acquisition Corp. CEO Patrick Orlando at Mar-a-Lago. Miami Herald File
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump waves as he exits after a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published November 12, 2024 at 1:10 PM.
