Trump's conflicts already on full display at Mar-a-Lago
"And so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Foreign officials, Cabinet picks, lawmakers and governors flock to Mar-a-Lago after Trump’s election
From “Here’s Who’s Paid Homage To Trump At Mar-a-Lago Since Election,” published today at Forbes:
Since Donald Trump’s re-election, Mar-a-Lago has transformed into a hub of political power not seen since, well, his D.C. hotel during his first term.
At least 16 billionaires, officials from eight foreign countries, 14 of Trump’s Cabinet picks, 22 governors, eight senators and 65 members of Congress have visited the president-elect’s Palm Beach estate. Social media posts, press conferences and attendee statements reveal a who’s who of global leaders, political heavyweights, and industry titans converging at Trump’s private club—a stark reminder of how intertwined his administration and business interests remain.
Here’s an inside look at some 125 notable visitors who made a trip to Trump’s Winter White House since the election.
Also, this nugget was kind of buried in the piece, but it looks like the government of Israel probably paid the Trump Org. to host an event at Mar-a-Lago. The club hosted the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 14. Per the press release, “The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast is a unique initiative spearheaded by the Israeli Knesset.”
Read more: “Here’s Who’s Paid Homage To Trump At Mar-a-Lago Since Election”
Who needs hotel rooms and office space when there’s crypto?
There might be other ways to interpret these Tweets, but—
Looks like Trump’s crypto outlet bought $20 million of Ether on Sunday in anticipation of Trump’s administration making crypto-friendly policies on Day 1. (Thanks for the insight, Eric.)
Trump’s businesses hired more foreign workers than ever in 2024
On Sept. 29, Donald Trump posted an inflammatory, if somewhat typical for him, message on Truth Social: “To all Rapists, Drug Dealers, Human Traffickers, and Murderers, WELCOME TO AMERICA! It is important that you send a THANK YOU note to Lyin’ Kamala Harris, because without her, you would not be here. We don’t want you, and we’re going to get you out!”
Two days later, 118 foreign nationals were scheduled to start working at Mar-a-Lago.
And if you’re wondering if this practice will stop one Trump re-enters the White House, his Virginia winery is looking for 31 foreign laborers to start working next month.
Read more: “Trump’s Business Hired More Foreign Workers Than Ever In 2024”
More on Trump’s financial interests
Some other articles on Trump I’ve published recently at Forbes—
“Trump Breaks Tradition By Redirecting Inaugural Swag Funds To His PAC”
“Trump Taps Business Associate Of Megadonor Timothy Mellon For Railroad Role”
“Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education Pick, Bankrolled His Raucous Madison Square Garden Rally”
“No, She Won’t Back Down. Lara Trump Has An Album Coming Out As Senate Buzz Swirls”
Listen: Mission Implausible’s ‘Shenanigans at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue’
I joined former high-level CIA operatives John Sipher and Jerry O’Shea’s Mission Implausible podcast recently to share my reporting on Trump’s D.C. hotel, including all the ways that foreign power brokers were able to channel payments to Trump through his hotels and could again. I also got John and Jerry’s expert takes on just how much foreign operatives might take advantage of Trump’s businesses.
From my colleagues at Forbes
“Donald Trump Launches $TRUMP Meme Coin—Token Nears $6 Billion Market Cap” by Ty Roush
“How Trump Can Sell His Truth Social Stock Without Paying A Dime In Taxes” by Kyle Khan-Mullins
“Here’s How Much Cash Donald Trump Spends Each Year” by Dan Alexander
“Military Tech Investors Go Looking For A Trump Bump At Mar-a-Lago” by David Jeans
“Mark Cuban’s Properties In Trump International Tower Are Worth More Than Trump’s” by Jemima McEvoy
“Can Trump Face Criminal Trials After Leaving Office? What To Know—As Jack Smith Argues He Could’ve Been Found Guilty” by Alison Durkee
Other notable sightings
A glimpse of the foreign officials, government employees, politicians, lobbyists, and the like who patronize or appear at Trump businesses. Most people shown here have reasons to want to influence the former president, rely on his good graces for their livelihoods, or should have been providing oversight. Additionally, high-profile guests serve as draws for paying customers.
Jeff Bezos visited at least his second different Trump business since the proprietor’s election in November. He was at Trump’s D.C.-area golf club for an inaugural celebration. Here he poses with model Maria Borges and Paolo Zampoli, a longtime friend of Trump’s who is Dominica’s ambassador to the United Nations
Cindy Jacobs— a self-proclaimed prophet—was a featured speaker at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast that Israel’s Knesset hosted at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday. Jacobs previously had held “experiences with God” at Trump’s D.C. hotel.
Old habits…
More Trump Organization news
“The Trumps Are in Talks to Reclaim Their Prized D.C. Hotel” by Craig Karmin for The Wall Street Journal
“An Illustrated Guide to Trump’s Conflict of Interest Risks” by Karen Yourish, Eric Lipton, and Lazaro Gamio for The New York Times
“Anger as Donald Trump’ Scottish resort to host show by far-right ‘hate-monger’” by Martyn McLaughlin for The Scotsman
“Trump and allies blur the lines between politician and influencer” by Drew Harwell for The Washington Post
“The Tech Industrial Complex Greets Trump 2.0 With Galas and Sky-High Hopes” by Nick Wingfield, Steve LeVine, Yueqi Yang, and Julia Black for The Information
False prophet to be sure
Yeah, this is nauseating. Wonder how these times will be taught to my grandkids. How much he got away with legally and how much he made with the position. Renting golf carts to secret service, crypto currency in his name... which he will likely have the gov't include in the crypto stockpile.
At the same time, he DID win the election (this time). Meaning (effectively) he got the most votes. What's that say about the state of our country and the people in it? Enough are feeble minded enough to support the 'if you say it enough, it becomes the truth' cliche? Or as wacked as him?
I'm not up on history, but isn't these conversations about panama, canada, greenland, etc. like putin or hitler? Using force to take another country? That's.... war?
Isn't there's something about respecting others sovereignty? Somehow, wacked people (and even the MSM that he abhors) view his talk as something to joke about / talk about. Not something to say 'woah! that's going too far'.
SAD!