How Palm Beach Is Coping With the MAGA Migration

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The Southern Bridge linking the southern end of affluent Palm Beach Island to the urban city of West Palm Beach used to be a tranquil pedestrian pathway where people leisurely walked alongside Bentleys over the Intracoastal Waterway. However, following Donald Trump’s win in November’s presidential election, news crews have flocked to the West Palm side, while tourists gather on a nearby island close to the bridge, their iPhones fully zoomed and focused on Mar-a-Lago, which is only a few yards away.

Everyone is eager to catch a peek at the lively happenings at the president-elect’s beach club estate, often referred to as the “Winter White House” during his previous term. This place has been graced by a stream of global leaders, tech pioneers who were once critics of Trump – such as Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Hollywood heavyweights like David Zaslav and Ari Emanuel – just in the recent days. Bill Gates is also anticipated to visit soon, as per Trump’s social media posts. Mar-a-Lago, now selling memberships for a million dollars, has been host to numerous events filled with right-leaning celebrities, including Russell Brand and Mel Gibson at a charity gala, a performance by Beach Boy Mike Love, and a New Year’s Eve party where Lara Trump sang “I Won’t Back Down” and Musk and Trump exchanged awkward fist pumps to “Y.M.C.A.

For decades, the tranquil charm of Palm Beach has been cherished by locals. However, this peaceful ambiance was significantly disrupted during the pandemic due to an influx of affluent individuals from New York and the West Coast, attracted by Florida’s lenient COVID regulations and lower taxes. This year, the number of well-off crowds has reached unprecedented levels, leading figures like Trump to call Palm Beach “the center of the universe” and Ross to nickname it “the new Silicon Valley.” The transformation of its image is causing deep divisions among inhabitants. The primary concern isn’t about Trump’s political views but rather the increased traffic congestion.

After the election, A1A – the scenic coastal road leading into town – has been closed for Trump’s safety reasons. This closure has been exacerbated by a continuous flow of VIP guests and international leaders, adding to the inconvenience. Now, those traveling north towards town or south to hotels and private clubs must take a detour via a bridge to West Palm and then another bridge back over. Occasionally, one or both of these bridges may even be shut down.

Paul Labrecque, a renowned hairstylist with salons in New York and Palm Beach Island who resides on the southern coast, laments that his daily commute into town, which previously took 20 minutes, now requires an hour and a half. To avoid being late for his clients, he must depart an hour ahead of schedule every day.

Ilene Joy, a jewelry designer who resides in Los Angeles but also owns homes in Palm Beach and New York, believes that the influx of Trump’s courtiers and increased security measures have significantly altered the town’s atmosphere. “It’s bewildering to depart the island only to return to it,” she comments. “These changes are causing inconvenience for everyone’s everyday living.

Some individuals find excitement in the vibrant atmosphere. As R. Couri Hay, a socialite and PR consultant who visited Mar-a-Lago in December, puts it, “Palm Beach is ablaze with energy. There are billionaires and millionaires around, and the buzz has never been stronger.” He describes the air as electric with power.

Milton Segarra, president & CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches (Palm Beach County’s tourism marketing body), mentioned that the number of visitors to The Palm Beaches has been consistently increasing over the past few years. This growth can be attributed to a mix of factors, one being what experts call the ‘Trump Bump’ effect, particularly in the last year. Moreover, live broadcasts from reporters have highlighted our pleasant climate, beautiful palm trees, and stunning urban landscapes, offering priceless publicity for our locale.

After the election, there was a 90% rise in inquiries from potential buyers at the new Ritz-Carlton Residences Palm Beach Gardens over the past month, as reported by Chris Cox, the sales director at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens and a broker associate with Douglas Elliman.

Currently, real estate prices have never been so elevated. As stated by Cappy Abraham, a prominent agent on the island, Trump’s influence has attracted numerous affluent individuals who are investing in expensive properties, thereby creating a thriving market. It’s no surprise that those interested in Palm Beach real estate belong to the wealthiest people globally. Reports suggest Elon Musk, tasked with budget cuts by Trump, is planning to acquire Sydell Miller’s penthouse atop The Bristol in West Palm Beach for $100 million. Furthermore, former Apple CEO John Sculley has announced his intention to expand his Palm Beach mansion, while Bezos is rumored to be considering a condo in West Palm.

As a fan, I find myself sharing similar sentiments. It seems that while Trump enjoys his rounds at his golf course in West Palm, the traffic situation has become quite a challenge. You see, when he plays, the road can get blocked for over thirty minutes as his entourage passes by, which is understandably frustrating for those stuck in traffic. The island, designed for leisure, wasn’t intended to handle this level of traffic flow. Everyone wants him to be safe, but it seems that safety measures have brought about a different kind of inconvenience.

High-value mansion owners along A1A are now undergoing thorough inspections, according to Adam McPherson, a luxury realtor at Douglas Elliman who hails from Palm Beach. “Security will examine your vehicle, lift the hood, and have sniffer dogs inspect it before granting you access,” he explains. Notably, even Rod Stewart, a neighbor of Mar-a-Lago, can’t casually enjoy lunch on Worth Avenue without first leaving the island to reach his destination.

Ever since Trump’s presidency, the Bath and Tennis Club near Mar-a-Lago has been compelled by the Secret Service to allow Mar-a-Lago members to use their parking lot – a demanding adjustment for this traditionally exclusive, high-society club to accept. In recent times, they’ve found themselves sharing facilities with guests such as Benjamin Netanyahu and Don King.

Every time I visit Mar-a-Lago, it seems like a magnet for individuals craving attention. Last week alone, I witnessed an incident where a streaker dashed by and made his way to the B&T, and daily, folks are being escorted off adjacent properties. It’s become necessary for them to hire private security just to keep these attention-seekers at bay.

Palm Beach Island only has one supermarket, one gas station, and prohibits film or TV shooting, so all media outlets are situated on the other side of the water in West Palm Beach instead. McPherson humorously comments, “It’s amusing to us that a news network claims they’re broadcasting from Mar-a-Lago, but they’re actually just outside West Palm Beach.

Shannon Donnelly, a well-known chronicler of Palm Beach high society, notes that although New Yorkers are adapting and learning local traditions, the latest tech-savvy newcomers are still considered novices, sticking to traditional practices from Silicon Valley.

She expresses that Californians are likely to push for a Whole Foods market on the island, or ask The Breakers to offer organic poultry,” she signs, letting out a deep breath. However, she is confident they’ll eventually grasp the local customs and preferences.

Despite the prosperity in the housing market, those who already own homes find themselves bearing the brunt of this success. As Donnelly puts it, “The real estate sector is thriving, yet the locals are struggling.” Palm Beach seems to be growing weary of the attention it’s receiving. “It’s becoming increasingly challenging to find a parking spot at Publix and securing school enrollment for children has become difficult,” Donnelly adds. This trend might worsen soon. As McPherson explains, “We are witnessing an influx of new buyers, not just from nearby Miami but also from distant regions like the Middle East. The entire world is taking notice.

Doug Evans, president and CEO of the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, remarks that everyone seems to desire a piece of Palm Beach. He considers this moment in time as unique and unlikely to happen again, beneficial not only for the economy but also for the hotels, and it’s bringing about a fresh variety.

Speaking about this, Christine Pressman – who arrived a decade ago with her husband Gene Pressman, ex-CEO of Barneys, remarks: “Palm Beach won’t revert to its old charming self. Some residents are disgruntled, but for those wanting to conduct business here, there couldn’t be a better moment.

You can find this article in the January 9th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Consider subscribing by clicking here.

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2025-01-12 20:25