Investor James Fishback launched an investment fund at Mar-a-Lago aimed at taking down diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at top American companies. The clubhouse serves as a hub for like-minded individuals within the MAGA movement to strategize for the next Trump administration. The event featured discussions and brainstorming on various disruptive topics, attracting high-profile figures like Elon Musk. Mar-a-Lago, once envisioned as a presidential retreat, now functions as a political center for conservatism.
The estate, previously owned by philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post, was sold to Donald Trump in 1985 and transformed into a happening club in Palm Beach. The club saw a decline in revenues following the white supremacist march in Charlottesville, but political ties strengthened after Trump’s election win in 2016. Influential figures and groups, like the Trumpettes fan club, hosted politically-charged events at Mar-a-Lago during Trump’s presidency.
The club’s proximity to power and policy decisions has raised concerns among watchdogs about unfettered access to Trump. Instances of members influencing government decisions and policy outcomes have been reported. The nexus of money, power, and policy at Mar-a-Lago creates an environment where spending money at the club may lead to gaining influence. With the recent shift of politically-minded spending from Trump’s D.C. hotel to Mar-a-Lago, revenues at the club are expected to increase in the coming years.
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