Mar-a-Lago members apparently got an unexpected perk: Air Force One tours
A Mar-a-Lago membership includes a slew of exciting amenities: croquet lawns, pool access, and, reportedly, tours of Air Force One.
Some members of Mar-a-Lago and the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, were apparently invited to check out the presidential plane, per an invitation obtained by BuzzFeed News. Two one-hour tours were scheduled for Feb. 18, 2017, just hours before President Trump's first 2020 campaign rally in Orlando.
BuzzFeed News received the invitation last year, but couldn't confirm if any club members actually went. It has since checked the invitation against federal records of Air Force One tours. Times on the invitation match two documented tours which, unlike typical records, didn't list who would be in charge of the visit.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At least 14 people were listed to tour the plane, though their names were redacted, per BuzzFeed News. But listed email addresses connect the potential visitors with a West Palm Beach auto dealer who's been a Trump golf club member since 1999. The dealer declined to comment.
Past presidents have shown family, friends, and donors around Air Force One, BuzzFeed News notes. A White House spokeswoman justified the apparent tours by saying Mar-a-Lago members would've been Trump's friends — though she didn't confirm or deny if the tours happened.
Regardless of Air Force One landings, Mar-a-Lago members can still count on visits from world leaders and the Wedding Crasher in Chief himself.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Political dynasties at war in the Philippines
Under the Radar 'Fiercer, nastier, and more personal' rift between Marcos and Duterte factions risks splitting ruling coalition
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
'Without mandatory testing, bird flu will continue circulating at farms across the country'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Thirteen missing after Red Sea tourist boat sinks
Speed Read The vessel sank near the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published