Taxpayers help businesses hurt by Trump’s Mar-a-Lago visits

$3.5M grant program part of plan to avert possible shutdown

Businesses at Lantana Airport that are hurt when President Donald Trump visits his Mar-aLago Club are in line for some financial relief.

The spending legislation designed to avert a government shutdown includes a $3.5 million grant program for affected businesses at Lantana Airport, said U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat who represents most of Palm Beach County.

“Local businesses and aviators at Lantana Airport have been unfairly impacted by Mr. Trump’s frequent trips to Mar-a-Lago,” Frankel said in a statement distributed by her office.

When Trump is at Mar-a-Lago, all flights are grounded at Lantana Airport, also known as Palm Beach County Park Airport.

Frankel’s office said the airport management company, flight schools, banner fliers, and other enterprises have lost an estimated $1 million in revenue from flight restrictions imposed during presidential visits.

Also eligible for grants are businesses at a New Jersey airport affected when Trump visits his golf club in Bedminster, Frankel said.

ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAGES U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, has announced a $3.5 million grant program that will help businesses at Lantana Airport that are impacted by President Trump’s visits to Mar-a-Lago.