Donald Trump's private club Mar-a-Lago divides the minds in Palm Beach.
The ex-president uses the property as his main residence.
A decision that angered his neighbors.
Palm Beach - Exactly two months ago (January 8), Donald Trump admitted his electoral defeat.
Two days earlier, Trump supporters tried to prevent the official recognition of the election result in Congress in an unprecedented explosion of violence.
Five people were killed in the storming of the Capitol, Trump's defeat was confirmed, and the 45th President was politically lost by then at the latest.
In the following days, Trump became quieter, also because Twitter blocked his account.
He made his last speech as US President on January 20 in front of frenetic supporters: inside at the Andrews military base, before boarding Air Force One and leaving the political limelight behind (for the time being).
The destination of the last flight as US President: Florida.
Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago: private club, summer residence, oasis of wellbeing
When Donald Trump said goodbye to his fans, he made his fans sit up and take notice: "We'll be back," he announced at the time.
Who, when and how will come back is in the stars.
Where the Trump family is working on the return seems clear.
In Trump's exclusive private club Mar-a-Lago, the ex-president sets the course for the future.
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Donald Trump currently resides in Mar-a-Lago
© Charles Trainor Jr / imago-images / ZUMA Wire
Mar-a-Lago was bought by real estate mogul Trump in 1985. The 80,000 square meter complex is considered by many observers to be the ex-president's retreat.
Surrounded by his most loyal people, he recovers from his election defeat.
Called the "Winter White House" during his tenure due to his frequent visits and stays, Trump now lives permanently in the complex.
To the annoyance of his neighbors.
Donald Trump is the "worst president of all time"
As early as January, the pilots of some sports aircraft caused a sensation when they presented unflattering messages for the ex-president.
The planes circling near Trump's estate drew banners with the sentences “Trump is the worst president of all time” and “Trump, you poor loser, go back to Moscow!” The prelude to further protests against Donald Trump's enduring Stay in Mar-a-Lago.
Mar-a-Lago: 1993 statutes prohibit permanent living in the club
The coastal town of Palm Beach, where wealthy people mainly settle, achieved worldwide fame during Trump's tenure.
As the
Washington Post
writes, the ex-president stayed in Palm Beach for at least 130 days.
For residents, the President's visits meant traffic jams and noise, as roads were closed and countless security guards were on duty for the President.
The town's bylaws actually forbade Mar-a-Lagos to be used as a “Winter White House”.
As US media unanimously report, a 1993 city council resolution prohibits Mar-a-Lago from being used as a permanent residence.
The complex's maintenance costs weighed billions upon the community coffers, so Trump's lawyers agreed to a deal prohibiting club members from staying in Mar-a-Lago for more than 21 nights a year.
The
Washington Post
writes that Trump's lawyer "assured the city council that his mandate would not live permanently in Mar-a-Lago".
The fact that Trump is now settling in Mar-a-Lago contradicts the agreement.
Mar-a-Lago: Trump's move divides the neighborhood
Donald Trump's move to Florida divides Palm Beach.
As the
Spiegel
quotes the lawyer of a neighbor of Trump's, Trump's permanent presence is a "terrible imposition".
The die-hard fans of the ex-president who made a pilgrimage to the small, exclusive place bothered many neighbors.
When Donald Trump returned from a golf excursion to Mar-a-Lago, hundreds of frenetic supporters lined up: inside the roadside, cheered "their" President.
Unusual hustle and bustle in quiet Palm Beach.
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Donald Trump's supporters: inside lined the way to his private residence Mar-a-Lago
© Jose More / imago-images / VWPics
Der
Spiegel
writes that the majority of Trump fans from the area or other parts of the country come to Palm Beach to support their idol.
But there are also fans in Trump's immediate neighborhood.
Otherwise, from a Republican perspective, the excellent election result of the 2020 US election in Palm Beach could not be explained.
Der
Spiegel
reports that Trump could rely on his neighborhood in the US election.
Around 62 percent elect the ex-president, who ultimately had to vacate his post for Joe Biden.
His successor now faces the great task of repairing the rift within American society.
A look at Palm Beach shows that Joe Biden has a lot of work to do.
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jjf
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