Outgoing US President Donald Trump will make his Mar-a-Lago estate on an island off Palm Beach in Florida his permanent home as his presidency comes to an end, reported news agency PTI.
According to various reports, trucks were seen arriving at Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach ahead of Trump’s arrival.
Early on Wednesday, 20 January, Trump left the White House to fly to his estates, skipping President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
What Do We Know About the Estate?
74-year-old Trump, who has lived in New York for decades, purchased the mansion in nearly 35 years 1985 for USD 10 million. He then turned it into a private club – a place which became his ‘winter home’ during his four years of presidency.
The estate, estimated to be 20-acre of area, is reportedly inspired by Moorish-Mediterranean architecture. It is said to have 128 rooms and was built in 1927 by Post cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, PTI said.
It is also houses a ballroom, five clay tennis courts and a waterfront pool and has been labelled the second-largest mansion in the sunshine state of Florida.
Why Are Residents Opposing?
According to US media reports, Trump’s neighbours are questioning whether it can become his permanent home.
This has to do with the 1993 agreement with the town of Palm Beach states club that members cannot spend more than 21 days a year staying at the club and no more than seven consecutive days at a time. However, Trump broke this agreement already when he stayed at Mar-a-Lago more than 21 days last year.
In a letter to the town of Palm Beach and the US Secret Service sent this week, a lawyer representing a family that lives next door to Trump, wrote:
“To avoid an embarrassing situation for everyone and to give the president time to make other living arrangements in the area, we trust you will work with his team to remind them of the use agreement parameters,” wrote Reginald Stambaugh, the lawyer.
If Trump does move forward with plans to live at the club long-term, he may also be engaged in a legal battle with the town.
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