According to a new book, Donald and Melania Trump are ‘treated like zoo animals’ at Mar-a-Lago and often dine alone at a roped-off table.
The allegations are revealed in journalist Michael Wolff’s forthcoming book Landslide: The Final Days of the Trump Presidency, an excerpt of which was provided with The Times.
The Trumps are “looked at, somewhat, like zoo animals. No, no, that’s not right. They are like a newly married couple: every night is a wedding at which they spend their dinner greeting friends and wellwishers,” Wolff writes in an extract from the book.
Wolff further says that it is unknown how often Melania stays at the property or if she lives with her husband.
“For four years in the White House, it was never quite clear how much time she was spending at the White House or in a house in Maryland where she had settled her parents,” Wolff writes. “Aides were careful not to closely inquire or openly wonder. Here too, in Mar-a-Lago, it was unclear.”
Since leaving the White House in January, former President Donald Trump has lived full-time at Mar-a-Lago.
He just moved to New Jersey for the summer, when Mar-a-Lago is closed due to the hurricane season.
Melania Trump made waves at the outset of the Trump presidency by refusing to move into the White House right away. She remained in New York City with their son Barron until the conclusion of the school year, a move that allegedly cost approximately $27 million in security.
Trump’s spokeswoman, Liz Harrington, reacted angrily to the authors’ allegations.
“Michael Wolff sat for over two hours in interviews with President Trump and never asked him about… false claims Wolff has been making.
“If he had, President Trump would have knocked them down, but instead Wolff decided to try to sell books with more Fake News.”
Mr Wolff says that the duo maintain an “old-fashioned club life” at the resort and that their fans adore them.
Melania Trump now has her own office, but she has avoided the spotlight.
Wolff says that when she visits the resort, “they eat alone at a roped-off table in the center” of the patio.
Each night, guests “rise from their seats to applaud the arrival of the former first couple to the dining area,” he adds.
According to Wolff, the spectacle is a well-rehearsed show, with Trump arriving for applause “just as the patio has filled.”
Mr Trump is said to have spoken at GOP fundraisers and even made cameo appearances at weddings hosted at the club after leaving Washington for Florida on Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day.
Wolff quips that the famous club’s admission criteria have changed.
“The only qualification now, beyond the actual cost ($250,000, up from $150,000 before the presidency, plus a hefty yearly fee), is to be an abject Trump admirer.”
Republicans are allegedly fawning over the former president in the hopes of gaining his favor and an endorsement.
Ms Trump has kept a quiet profile since stepping down from her position in the government. Even as first lady, she maintained a rather quiet persona.
