I live just south of W Palm and made the mistake of driving along the beach on the way to an Amy Helm concert a few weeks ago. Traffic was crawling, on a Saturday, in every direction. The beach and Trump's club lie across an inter-coastal canal, meaning access is via 1 lane bridge or narrow north/south roads. Many people around here have quickly learned to avoid the airport and area on the weekends because of Trump's weekly R&R breaks, and no surprise, it's hurting local businesses. But hey, he has tremendous stamina, on the golf course. Maybe Cuba can start hosting their Comrade, Agent Orange.
Trump's Frequent Visits Disrupt Palm Beach Life And Businesses
February 17
Greg Allen
A Palm Beach Police car sits in front of a gate of the Mar-a-Lago Resort in November. During President Trump's frequent visits, the Secret Service shuts down a major thoroughfare, making it difficult to get anywhere in Palm Beach.
For the third week in a row, President Trump is spending the weekend in Florida at Mar-a-Lago.
It seems Trump enjoys spending time at the club he owns in Palm Beach, but since the election, his stays there have raised issues not seen when he was a private citizen. They involve security and the impact his visits are having on people and businesses in Palm Beach.
At Palm Beach County Park Airport in Lantana, just 6 miles from Mar-a-Lago, the situation is dire. For the fifth weekend since December, the airport has shut down. Whenever Trump is in Mar-a-Lago, Federal Aviation Administration restrictions ban all flights out of the airport.
The weekend restrictions are especially a problem for Jorge Gonzalez.
His company, SkyWords, owns four planes that tow advertising banners targeting beachgoers in Palm Beach County.
Jorge Gonzalez, whose planes tow advertising banners, says the flight restrictions in place while President Trump is at Mar-a-Lago may put him out of business.
"For our banner towing, 97 percent of our business is done on Saturdays and Sundays and on holidays," Gonzalez says.
Recently, he says, Trump "comes every weekend, so basically we aren't able to work."
It's a similar story for nearly every business at Lantana, one of the busiest small airports in the country. Flight schools, sightseeing flights and the company that operates the airport say if Trump's visits and the current restrictions continue, they may lose millions of dollars this year.
Gonzalez has been talking to county officials, the Secret Service and his member of Congress about finding a way to allow his planes in the air while Trump is at Mar-a-Lago. So far, he hasn't seen success.
The problem is that this is the peak season, when snowbirds flock to Florida beaches. Gonzalez says that for his business, time is running out.
"Probably another month," he says. "Two months at most. So every week that they drag their feet puts me closer and closer to closing my doors."
When Trump was a private citizen, his visits to Mar-a-Lago drew little notice. Palm Beach is used to accommodating the wealthy and famous.
But protecting the president demands a level of security that has proved costly for residents, businesses and local government. Along with losing money at its airports, Palm Beach County is also worried about the police overtime it's racking up while Trump is here: $1.5 million so far.
The heartburn is greatest in Palm Beach, a manicured enclave where residents enjoy luxury resort living and privacy.
At a meeting this week, residents asked the town council to block plans for a presidential helipad at Mar-a-Lago. Jose Flores said the noise and downdraft of the massive Marine helicopters would be a major inconvenience for people who live near the club.
"This is a flying tank," Flores said. "If you're having three to five flying tanks going over you, it's going to stop your enjoyment of your property, of your environment, of this town."
It's not that Palm Beachers aren't proud that the president likes to spend time on the island. Some just worry he will come every weekend.
When Trump is there, the Secret Service shuts down a major thoroughfare, making it difficult to get anywhere in Palm Beach. In the town's tony shopping district, sales are down.
Marley Herring, the president of the merchants association, recently asked members of the town council for help.
"As you know, the season's very short for us," she said. "We have great concern regarding how the small businesses, my own included, will survive over the next four or maybe eight years."
The people who may be happiest about Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago are the club members.
During recent visits, members rubbed shoulders with the president and his entourage. Last weekend, one took photos, later posted on social media, while Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared to be getting a briefing on North Korea's missile test.
Democrats in Congress are asking the Government Accountability Office to review whether the president followed proper security protocols at the club. They also want an account of how much Trump's Mar-a-Lago visits are costing taxpayers.
Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat who represents Palm Beach, says Trump needs to rethink how he uses the club.
"The dining patio is quite lovely, but it's also quite open," Frankel says. "It is not an appropriate place to discuss sensitive matters to national security in the earshot of patrons or waiters."
The White House said later Trump had been briefed earlier in a secure location and he and Abe were just discussing logistics for a press event.
Frankel says while the president is always welcome anywhere he goes in the U.S., she has a respectful suggestion.
"The White House might want to consider having the president bring the excitement of his position to other parts of the country where they would love to see and interact with the president and where he would be also very welcome," she says.
But as a member of the town council reminded residents recently, Trump has lived in Palm Beach for more than two decades, and he'll be coming home to rest whether they like it or not.
So you're saying those near Mar-a-Largo aren't voting for a second term in 4 years!
I don't know what you can do about that. Surely it will build some resentment against Trump probably for causing congestion, havoc and negative business impacts.
More than that, I am concerned about the expenses related to all this travel. The support and protection costs of the President is one thing, but the sons are enjoying secret service protection as well and are traveling all over the world for both personal and business reasons. The total cost for the Trumps is going to be astronomical. Trump really should reimburse the government for some of these costs, especially for the costs related to his sons. I think it is the right thing to do and would give him some credibility if he really is concerned about reigning in unnecessary government spending.
Here is something on that
I don't know what you can do about that. Surely it will build some resentment against Trump probably for causing congestion, havoc and negative business impacts.
No, I don't think there is anything anyone can do so long as Trump's family is in several different cities every weekend. It doesn't appear to be something he is concerned about, thus far Trump seems to be doing whatever he wants without perspective. I do also question the detail on his sons - they are grown men in private business and can afford their own security.
Out of the 18 Republican nominees, I still can't figure out why Republican voters were most attracted to the one that mocked a disabled person and urged violence in exchange for money. All the nominees have conservative values, but they wanted the one who behaves like a schoolyard bully that we would all punish if we were the parent. If that's the choice, then what does that say about the Republican voters? To me, it says their #1 priority and desire is to mock the opposition and make disparaging remarks about them. Whoever was willing to do that got their vote. I can't imagine being motivated by that.
Out of the 18 Republican nominees, I still can't figure out why Republican voters were most attracted to the one that mocked a disabled person and urged violence in exchange for money. All the nominees have conservative values, but they wanted the one who behaves like a schoolyard bully that we would all punish if we were the parent. If that's the choice, then what does that say about the Republican voters? To me, it says their #1 priority and desire is to mock the opposition and make disparaging remarks about them. Whoever was willing to do that got their vote. I can't imagine being motivated by that.
Room to criticize Trump here within the bounds of the costs of his travel for himself and his family plus the impact it has on communities/businesses effected by it. But do we really need another post of broad brush criticism of his supporters in here when saying nothing on the topic of the thread?
I don't know what you can do about that. Surely it will build some resentment against Trump probably for causing congestion, havoc and negative business impacts.
No, I don't think there is anything anyone can do so long as Trump's family is in several different cities every weekend. It doesn't appear to be something he is concerned about, thus far Trump seems to be doing whatever he wants without perspective. I do also question the detail on his sons - they are grown men in private business and can afford their own security.
Without being able to see his tax returns and making the assumption that he is a successful businessman, Trump (and family) subscribe to the belief of "use other peoples' money". The security detail in NY, Florida, and following the private business dealings of Eric & Don Jr., and others has to be astronomical. Trump may have to raise taxes or cut some federal program to pay for his family's security detail.
Room to criticize Trump here within the bounds of the costs of his travel for himself and his family plus the impact it has on communities/businesses effected by it. But do we really need another post of broad brush criticism of his supporters in here when saying nothing on the topic of the thread?
It's what's on my mind. It's all related to me.
I don't know what you can do about that. Surely it will build some resentment against Trump probably for causing congestion, havoc and negative business impacts.
No, I don't think there is anything anyone can do so long as Trump's family is in several different cities every weekend. It doesn't appear to be something he is concerned about, thus far Trump seems to be doing whatever he wants without perspective. I do also question the detail on his sons - they are grown men in private business and can afford their own security.
Without being able to see his tax returns and making the assumption that he is a successful businessman, Trump (and family) subscribe to the belief of "use other peoples' money". The security detail in NY, Florida, and following the private business dealings of Eric & Don Jr., and others has to be astronomical. Trump may have to raise taxes or cut some federal program to pay for his family's security detail.
When Trump claimed that not paying taxes was "good business" in a debate last Fall, some voters might have thought "yeah, screw the MAN!" without realizing that if Trump were to take this business model to the White House, it would be they themselves as tax payers footing the bill. Judging by the cabinet members he has selected, it would appear federal program cuts are likely on the horizon regardless of Trump's personal and business boon.
Picture this scenario...
Using Clinton Foundation money, the Clintons purchase a "private business retreat," which they operate on a for-profit basis for several years before the 2016 election. Once elected, the resort doubles the cost of annual membership from $100,000 to $200,000, and President Clinton hops on Air Force One every weekend to meet and greet all the new paid members, without disclosing who any of them are.
What would the right wing have to say about that?
Out of the 18 Republican nominees, I still can't figure out why Republican voters were most attracted to the one that mocked a disabled person and urged violence in exchange for money. All the nominees have conservative values, but they wanted the one who behaves like a schoolyard bully that we would all punish if we were the parent. If that's the choice, then what does that say about the Republican voters? To me, it says their #1 priority and desire is to mock the opposition and make disparaging remarks about them. Whoever was willing to do that got their vote. I can't imagine being motivated by that.
Room to criticize Trump here within the bounds of the costs of his travel for himself and his family plus the impact it has on communities/businesses effected by it. But do we really need another post of broad brush criticism of his supporters in here when saying nothing on the topic of the thread?
Exactly what isn't true about the paragraph you quoted?
Thanks Bhawk, but he is saying it's misplaced due to being irrelevant to the thread topic. But to me, every story is really about what I wrote in that paragraph.
I didn't say it wasn't true and BoytonBrother is free to express views and correctly acknowledged my intent to simply keep the thread on track. I suppose I need not do that, but too many threads just get off the rails and lead to name calling and unbased claims of this or that and people end up talking past eachother and gloss over any sliver of subject the original thread was dealing with.
Been pretty light on traffic lately. Maybe the current version of the WP functions better when people just make sweeping opinions causing one group to jump out in defense and then another group to counter that and have everything break down into insults. I like reasoned commentary and discussion when available, but people will do as they wish.
Out of the 18 Republican nominees, I still can't figure out why Republican voters were most attracted to the one that mocked a disabled person and urged violence in exchange for money. All the nominees have conservative values, but they wanted the one who behaves like a schoolyard bully that we would all punish if we were the parent. If that's the choice, then what does that say about the Republican voters? To me, it says their #1 priority and desire is to mock the opposition and make disparaging remarks about them. Whoever was willing to do that got their vote. I can't imagine being motivated by that.
Room to criticize Trump here within the bounds of the costs of his travel for himself and his family plus the impact it has on communities/businesses effected by it. But do we really need another post of broad brush criticism of his supporters in here when saying nothing on the topic of the thread?
I'll agree with both of you, it can be 2 things. As frustrating as the 2016 election was, it feels like it was eons ago. Pondering the disappointing reactions of a spiteful few (too many) doesn't accomplish much today. Much of it was shameful, and it should never be forgotten, but Trump's supporters no longer matter as much as Trump's actions.
I didn't say it wasn't true and BoytonBrother is free to express views and correctly acknowledged my intent to simply keep the thread on track. I suppose I need not do that, but too many threads just get off the rails and lead to name calling and unbased claims of this or that and people end up talking past eachother and gloss over any sliver of subject the original thread was dealing with.
Been pretty light on traffic lately. Maybe the current version of the WP functions better when people just make sweeping opinions causing one group to jump out in defense and then another group to counter that and have everything break down into insults. I like reasoned commentary and discussion when available, but people will do as they wish.
It appears that I should be expected to rise above the behavior of our President. Nebish, I'm not trying to instigate. Just making a point that if you are annoyed and displeased by my post here, imagine the problem we have when the President is doing it on a daily basis. Luckily, I'm a nobody in a music forum and not the leader of the free world. And is it wrong if Americans follow his lead with the insults?
Out of the 18 Republican nominees, I still can't figure out why Republican voters were most attracted to the one that mocked a disabled person and urged violence in exchange for money. All the nominees have conservative values, but they wanted the one who behaves like a schoolyard bully that we would all punish if we were the parent. If that's the choice, then what does that say about the Republican voters? To me, it says their #1 priority and desire is to mock the opposition and make disparaging remarks about them. Whoever was willing to do that got their vote. I can't imagine being motivated by that.
Room to criticize Trump here within the bounds of the costs of his travel for himself and his family plus the impact it has on communities/businesses effected by it. But do we really need another post of broad brush criticism of his supporters in here when saying nothing on the topic of the thread?
Considering that he is not accepting/taking or using the $400,000 annual salary from his new job, maybe people can take that into consideration.
Out of the 18 Republican nominees, I still can't figure out why Republican voters were most attracted to the one that mocked a disabled person and urged violence in exchange for money. All the nominees have conservative values, but they wanted the one who behaves like a schoolyard bully that we would all punish if we were the parent. If that's the choice, then what does that say about the Republican voters? To me, it says their #1 priority and desire is to mock the opposition and make disparaging remarks about them. Whoever was willing to do that got their vote. I can't imagine being motivated by that.
Room to criticize Trump here within the bounds of the costs of his travel for himself and his family plus the impact it has on communities/businesses effected by it. But do we really need another post of broad brush criticism of his supporters in here when saying nothing on the topic of the thread?
Considering that he is not accepting/taking or using the $400,000 annual salary from his new job, maybe people can take that into consideration.
$11.3 million in just one month in office. That works out to $133.6 million in one year. $534.4 million in 4 years. Yeah, that $400k is sure making a dent in this.
Considering that he is not accepting/taking or using the $400,000 annual salary from his new job, maybe people can take that into consideration.
NYC estimates put daily cost of guarding Trump Tower at around $500K, and he isn't even there. His salary appears to be inconsequential.
"Guarding the Trump Tower in New York City, the current residence of the first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron, would cost the taxpayers $183 million a year."*
We pay for every President's security, obviously, and according to Judicial Watch, Obama's cost $97 million over 8 years. But with Trump eager to weekend beyond DC and adult children traveling independently, it could stretch funds very thin. When does constant luxury on taxpayer money become "the swamp"?
It appears that I should be expected to rise above the behavior of our President. Nebish, I'm not trying to instigate. Just making a point that if you are annoyed and displeased by my post here, imagine the problem we have when the President is doing it on a daily basis. Luckily, I'm a nobody in a music forum and not the leader of the free world. And is it wrong if Americans follow his lead with the insults?
Just trying to keep the thread on track, not really annoyed or displeased. Not my thread, I shouldn't have said anything anyway, it is back on topic and probably didn't need me in order to do so.
Just trying to keep the thread on track, not really annoyed or displeased. Not my thread, I shouldn't have said anything anyway, it is back on topic and probably didn't need me in order to do so.
You can't own a thread, man. Once it's out there, it's everybody's!
Out of the 18 Republican nominees, I still can't figure out why Republican voters were most attracted to the one that mocked a disabled person and urged violence in exchange for money. All the nominees have conservative values, but they wanted the one who behaves like a schoolyard bully that we would all punish if we were the parent. If that's the choice, then what does that say about the Republican voters? To me, it says their #1 priority and desire is to mock the opposition and make disparaging remarks about them. Whoever was willing to do that got their vote. I can't imagine being motivated by that.
Room to criticize Trump here within the bounds of the costs of his travel for himself and his family plus the impact it has on communities/businesses effected by it. But do we really need another post of broad brush criticism of his supporters in here when saying nothing on the topic of the thread?
Considering that he is not accepting/taking or using the $400,000 annual salary from his new job, maybe people can take that into consideration.
$11.3 million in just one month in office. That works out to $133.6 million in one year. $534.4 million in 4 years. Yeah, that $400k is sure making a dent in this.
Well Washington has never been too good in the accounting department, when it is called to his attention, I am sure he will address it. I remember one Congressman tried to decrease govt. fraud showing the price we were paying for a simple hammer, the govt. was being billed for "nail insertion devices" and paying ridiculous amounts of money. He was pushed out of office for trying to fix things.
[Edited on 2/21/2017 by gina]
This is going to end up being a whole bunch of money. We're talking about it right now, but imagine as time goes on everyone will be talking about this. Trump will have to address it...or I guess he can deflect it away like he does with lots of other things.
And also like so many other things, criticism of Trump is the result of his own doing.
Secret Service should protect the family of the President, but if Eric and Don Jr are engaging in travel for their business interests than Trump corporation should reimburse those costs to the government. And somebody could waive the lease costs for the security detail to have space within Trump tower instead of having the government foot the bill to lease that space.
Trump could get ahead of this story and nip it in the bud. If not, this is going to make him a target of many fiscally conscious people in Washington.
Out of the 18 Republican nominees, I still can't figure out why Republican voters were most attracted to the one that mocked a disabled person and urged violence in exchange for money. All the nominees have conservative values, but they wanted the one who behaves like a schoolyard bully that we would all punish if we were the parent. If that's the choice, then what does that say about the Republican voters? To me, it says their #1 priority and desire is to mock the opposition and make disparaging remarks about them. Whoever was willing to do that got their vote. I can't imagine being motivated by that.
Room to criticize Trump here within the bounds of the costs of his travel for himself and his family plus the impact it has on communities/businesses effected by it. But do we really need another post of broad brush criticism of his supporters in here when saying nothing on the topic of the thread?
Considering that he is not accepting/taking or using the $400,000 annual salary from his new job, maybe people can take that into consideration.
$11.3 million in just one month in office. That works out to $133.6 million in one year. $534.4 million in 4 years. Yeah, that $400k is sure making a dent in this.
Well Washington has never been too good in the accounting department, when it is called to his attention, I am sure he will address it. I remember one Congressman tried to decrease govt. fraud showing the price we were paying for a simple hammer, the govt. was being billed for "nail insertion devices" and paying ridiculous amounts of money. He was pushed out of office for trying to fix things.
[Edited on 2/21/2017 by gina]
What does that have to do with this. Nothing. And Trump has never been shy about spending other people money. If you think that he will address this, you are delusional.
I do think he will address it, I don't think he is aware of the cost of it yet, or how it is hurting the local economy. I think the local business(es) effected should bring it to his attention and let him find a way to deal with that. Trump Tower is still a building open to the public, and other people (besides his family) live there and come and go about their lives, that is kind of unprecedented, but he made it possible. His wife was commuting back there after her weekends in Washington. He is obviously more comfy at Mar a Lago, which is why they are spending time there there lately. I think he also enjoys his own place more than the White House. He can relax at one of his places.
I do think he will address it, I don't think he is aware of the cost of it yet, or how it is hurting the local economy. I think the local business(es) effected should bring it to his attention and let him find a way to deal with that. Trump Tower is still a building open to the public, and other people (besides his family) live there and come and go about their lives, that is kind of unprecedented, but he made it possible. His wife was commuting back there after her weekends in Washington. He is obviously more comfy at Mar a Lago, which is why they are spending time there there lately. I think he also enjoys his own place more than the White House. He can relax at one of his places.
He isn't aware of the cost? Everyone in the country is aware of the except for the Great Businessman? He was elected president. He belongs in the White House, not Florida. Remember, this is the guy who whined about Obama and his golf excursions. He us a hypocrite.
Can't vouch for this or not...could be fake news (anything is fake that does not represent Trump the way he wants to be represented...right?)
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-first-month-travel-expenses-11-million-a1feb6cd829b#.tc38fxdbg
Can't vouch for this or not...could be fake news (anything is fake that does not represent Trump the way he wants to be represented...right?)
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-first-month-travel-expenses-11-million-a1feb6cd829b#.tc38fxdbg
I suspect the numbers are pretty close to being correct since I've seen several other sources cite something similar. Wonder if the White House might put out something contrary?
It's probably not fair to compare Trump's spending to Obama's spending since they aren't comparable in terms of family size and locations. Right or wrong, I don't know, but the first lady and a son not living at the White House is going to create alot of additional costs - and nobody would question their need to be protected no matter where they live. The Obama girls lived at the White House, where Trump has 4 other children not living at the White House in addition to Baron. It has to be a logistical nightmare.
Might be interesting to compare Trump to Bush 43 as I don't recall his daughters living at the White House the full time did they?
But really there is just no comparison to any President I can think of in terms of the multiple locations needing protected and the age of the children creating a much bigger problem as they live their lives. My biggest objection is the protection costs for Don Jr and Eric, Trump Corp needs to reimburse those protection costs, atleast when they are on business trips. And I'd like to see the government get comp'd space in Trump Tower. Only seems right.
I expect Spicer to start getting questioned on this regularly. It shouldn't be too long and Republicans will question it as well, but maybe their honeymoon needs to wear off before that can happen.
[Edited on 2/21/2017 by nebish]
Might be interesting to compare Trump to Bush 43 as I don't recall his daughters living at the White House the full time did they?
No. They both graduated high school in 2000. By the time he was sworn in, Barbara was at Yale and Jenna at the University of Texas. However, they both were notorious for trying to ditch their protection detail whenever they could, Jenna in particular hated it. Comes down to each family, really. Chelsea Clinton was known for being very cooperative, but she also turned 13 the first year of her father's Presidency. Amy Carter was only in third grade when her dad took office. Malia and Sasha Obama both lived in the WH and both went to Sidwell Friends.
He is obviously more comfy at Mar a Lago, which is why they are spending time there there lately. I think he also enjoys his own place more than the White House. He can relax at one of his places.
Pfft. It's about profiteering, not comfort.
It shouldn't be too long and Republicans will question it as well, but maybe their honeymoon needs to wear off before that can happen.
They'll never have an issue with it.
