Random Historical Stories About Mar-a-Lago Resort (14 items)

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  (#14) As Trump's “Weekend White House,” Mar-a-Lago Is More Connected To The Federal Government Than Ever

  Marjorie Merriweather Post intended for Mar-a-Lago to become a winter White House after her death, but her dream has come true in a way she could have never predicted. Under the presidency of Donald Trump, Mar-a-Lago has been dubbed the “Weekend White House” for how often Trump has visited the property on official business and for recreation since taking office. Trump has hosted a number of international VIPs there, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

  Logistical issues and the semi-private nature of Mar-a-Lago still make it a problematic place for the President to conduct his business. The President has been criticized for conducting sensitive business at the resort, and security costs are considerable for each visit, but Trump showed little sign of slowing down his use of the property over his first year as president.
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  (#7) Post Bequeathed The Property To The National Park Service, Hoping It Would Become A 'Winter White House'

  Marjorie Merriweather Post always wanted Mar-a-Lago to live on after her passing, and she left it to the National Park Service in her will. Post envisioned Mar-a-Lago becoming a “Winter White House,” where presidents could ride out the colder months and entertain foreign dignitaries. However, there were some serious negotiations behind the scenes before the handoff actually occurred. The federal government only agreed to take on the property after Post promised an additional fund to provide maintenance in 1972.
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  (#8) Before Post Gave Mar-a-Lago To The Federal Government, She Offered It To Florida

  Before deciding on giving her home to the federal government, Post tried to give Mar-a-Lago to the state of Florida. She hoped that the state would turn the property into a center for advanced scholars, but state officials turned down her offer due to the high maintenance costs required for basic upkeep. Post only decided to write the federal government into her will as a backup option.
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  (#5) Post Used Mar-a-Lago To Offer Occupational Therapy To Soldiers After WWII

  Marjorie Merriweather Post was a successful businesswoman and an influential socialite, but she was also a major philanthropist who used her considerable assets to help those in need. Post stepped up in the wake of World War II by offering the Mar-a-Lago grounds as a center for convalescing soldiers. Entire buildings were converted to offer various forms of occupational therapy, easing soldiers' transition from the horrors of war back to everyday life. Surrounded by one of the largest mansions in the world, WWII veterans received training in a number of arts and trades, from carpentry to printing.
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  (#13) He Decided To Run The Historic Property As An Exclusive Club—One Whose Membership Fees Doubled When He Won The 2016 Election

  Trump floated a few ideas for what to do with his newly purchased mega-mansion, including dividing it up into eight smaller but still rather considerable homes. Instead, he decided to turn Mar-a-Lago into a private club and resort. He poured millions into renovations, as the property had been left in disrepair while awaiting sale. He built up hype for the club by giving away memberships to celebrities and other notable figures.

  Membership fees, set at $100,000 up front and $14,000 per year as annual dues, ensured that members would come solely from the upper echelons of society. Of course, Mar-a-Lago’s profile and social cache was raised considerably when Trump was elected President in 2016 – a fact reinforced when membership fees doubled to $200,000 a head after his victory.
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  (#6) John F. Kennedy Wrote His Inaugural Address Just Down The Road

  Donald Trump wasn't the first president with ties to Mar-a-Lago's Palm Beach community. Several notable American families have long owned properties in the area, including the Fords, Du Ponts, and Kennedys. John F. Kennedy wrote his inaugural address at his father's estate on the north end of Palm Beach not far from Mar-a-Lago, where Donald Trump sat down to complete the same task 56 years later.

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