What’s it like when Trump visits South Florida?
Here’s a refresher of 10 things you should know aboutTrump and South Florida:
Where’s he staying? Spanish for sea-to-lake, Trump’s 18-acreMar-a-Lago estate spans fromthe IntracoastalWaterway to the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Beach. Built in 1927 as a home for cereal heiress MarjorieMerriweather Post, theNational Historic Landmarkwas purchased byTrump in1985 and converted to a private club that doubles as his part-time residence. WhenTrump was elected, the cost of a membership to theMar-aLago Club doubled to $200,000.
Howcan you catch a glimpse of the president? Southern Boulevard is a popular spot to gather and watch his motorcade pass. During previous visits, Trumpventured to his golf club near the intersection of Summit Boulevard and CongressAvenue inWest Palm Beach. His wife, Melania, toured theMorikami Gardens inWestDelray with Akie Abe, the wife of the Japanese primeminister. Trump attended Easter and ChristmasEve services at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-theSea in Palm Beach. That church is also where the president and the first lady were married, and their son, Barron, was christened.
Where can you see Air Force One? Trumpwill arrive at Palm Beach International Airport this afternoon and is expected to leave Sunday night. For all that time, the president’s planewill be parked on the tarmac, and you can catch a glimpse of Air ForceOne while driving by on Southern Boulevard.
What roads should you avoid? Expect road closures whenTrump is in town. StateRoadA1Awill be blocked in front ofMar-aLago. Trump has a helicopter landing pad for his presidential helicopterMarine One. So far, he’s chosen to travel to and fromMar-aLago by motorcade. Marine One has already been spotted at the airport thisweek. The aircraft typically travels with the president— both domestically and abroad. Boating restrictions will also be in place in the Intracoastal and oceanwaters near Mar-a-Lago.
What other restrictions are in place? Commercial air traffic will continue as normal, but small planes will be grounded at nearby Lantana Airport, which is only a fewmiles fromMara-Lago. Banner-towing aircraft, sightseeing planes and flight training are prohibited within a 30-mile radius ofMar-a-Lago when the president visits. In February, a sonic boom caused by military jets scrambling to enforce the restrictions rattled Broward County residents. APalm Beach County report estimated businesses at the Lantana airport lose about $30,000 in revenue during aweekend presidential visit.
Howoften willTrump be here? The WhiteHouse doesn’t discuss the president’s travel plans, but based on his presidency so far, he’ll frequentMar-a-Lago during Palm Beach’s peak season, which runs fromThanksgiving through about Easter. Since becoming president, Trumphas spent 25 days at Mar-a-Lago. He made his first visit as president to attend theRedCross Ball (it won’t be atMar-a-Lago this year) on Feb. 4. His last visit came on Easterweekend.
Whoelse could be coming? Trumphas hosted world leaders in Palm Beach County. He had a golf outing with Japanese PrimeMinister Shinzo Abe in February. InApril, he metwith the Chinese PresidentXi Jinping atMar-a-Lago. The Chinese leader stayed at Eau Palm BeachResort& Spa inManalapan. Efforts to get detailed records ofMara-Lago’s visitor logs have been unsuccessful. In response to a lawsuit filed by governmentwatchdog groups, a Secret Service official said in an affidavit that “a review of records confirmed that there is no system for keeping track of presidential visitors atMara-Lago, as there is at the WhiteHouse.”
What doesTrumpdo when he’s here? The president likes to golf. He’s hit the links with the Japanese prime minister and champion golfer ErnieEls. Trump likes to go to events at his properties. He attended a Super Bowl party at his golf course nearWest Palm Beach. In February, Trump made headlines when he was captured on social media discussing a nuclear test byNorthKoreawith the Japanese prime minister in the middle of a social function atMar-a-Lago. And of course, Trumpwill tweet, just as he does everywhere he goes.
Howmuch will it cost us? Local taxpayers are footing some of the bill to protectTrump when he visits. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office estimates thatTrump’s visits toMar-a-Lago since ElectionDay have cost county taxpayers about $4 million. Some relief has been provided fromthe federal government. Palm Beach County lawenforcement agencies are getting about $1 million to offset the cost of protectingTrump when he visited as president-elect. Congress approved $41 million to reimburse state and local lawenforcement agencies that incurred “extraordinary costs” protecting the president’s residences in Florida, New Jersey andNewYork. Palm Beach County has applied for $3.5 million.
What about protests? A group of about100 hit the streets ofWest Palm Beach to protestTrump’s policies earlier this month— even before the president’s arrival. Unlike previous visits, Bingham Island, which provides the closest accessible point toMar-a-Lago, will be closed because of a construction project to replace the Southern Boulevard bridge.