By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-15 04:06:47 | Updated at 2025-01-15 08:35:40
5 hours ago
Friends and business associates keep asking me when I'm going to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum next week.
My answer: I'm not.
There's no point. The world's most powerful people won't be there. For this year, they're all at the 'Winter White House' in Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
It's the new Davos but with much better weather.
Not just anyone can waltz into President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home and resort. To be permitted through the Spanish tile gates onto the 17-acre estate, you either must buy a membership (at the reported cost of $1 million, if one is even available) or be invited by a member.
On a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago on January 4, I was fortunate enough to be the guest of Bill Pulte, a close friend who is being considered for secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Once inside the 126-room and 62,500-square-foot property, you meet Carmen De Oliveira, maître d' extraordinaire and head of dining room services.
She may be the most powerful woman in America that you've never heard of. Carmen directs you where to sit for dinner – and at Mar-a-Lago that's critical.
Not just anyone can waltz into President-elect Donald Trump 's Mar-a-Lago home and resort. (Trump is pictured during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago on January 7).
To be permitted through the Spanish tile gates onto the 17-acre estate, you either must buy a membership or be invited by a member. (Trump is pictured at Mar-a-Lago with Danielle Smith and Kevin O'Leary).
In the middle of the patio, surrounded by more than a dozen round dining tables, the president-elect holds court with his most important guest for the evening.
It's the center of the universe, the sun. All of the other tables – the planets – rotate around it.
If you don't yet know Carmen, she may seat you on Pluto. But if you're in good standing with her (I was fortunate that she is a fan of Shark Tank), then you get to sit close to the center and rub shoulders with the men and women, who will determine the direction of the country for the next four years.
On that January 4th evening, Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni and her delegation dined with Trump. And at the nearest tables were sat prospective members of the incoming Trump cabinet, senators, ambassadors, governors and entrepreneurs. (Elon Musk is usually there, if he is in town.)
If you're lucky, you may even catch Trump's eye. And if he recognizes you, you'll get a few moments with him. Two weeks ago, I was chatting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This last weekend (I'm now a repeat visitor), I spoke with the Premier of Alberta, Canada Danielle Smith.
This is where America's business is now being transacted.
If you're lucky, you may even catch Trump's eye. And if he recognizes you, you'll get a few moments with him. (Trump and O'Leary are pictured in conversation at Mar-a-Lago).
This is where America's business is now being transacted.
I've been very open about my bid to buy the social media platform TikTok – owned by the Chinese tech company, ByteDance – which has sparked national security concerns and a ban by President Joe Biden.
The US Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on TikTok's fate this week – and it may be forced to go dark for some US users as early as this weekend.
I believe that my syndicate (in partnership with fellow entrepreneur Frank McCourt) offers the best opportunity to purchase TikTok and keep it operational. And everyone that I need to speak to about my plans – from Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio to incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz – is there at Mar-a-Lago.
You couldn't pay me to get on a plane to Davis right now. I'm just hanging around southern Florida, and when I'm invited, I'll drive up to Winter White House.
