Old money elites in Florida‘s ultra-wealthy Palm Beach are fuming over a wave of brash, young MAGA loyalists flooding into the island – some boldly declaring themselves to be ‘part of the new world order.’
For years, Trump-aligned celebrities and multimillionaires have been flocking to the ultra-exclusive enclave of Palm Beach – home to the president’s lavish Mar-a-Lago club, where a single membership comes with a jaw-dropping $1 million initiation fee, as reported by Bloomberg.
Known as a playground of old-money dynasties, Palm Beach has long attracted big names like Jon Bon Jovi, Tom Ford, Charles Schwab – and even the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein – who all owned properties in one of America’s most outrageously expensive zip codes.
But with Trump in the White House for the second time, a new wave is crashing into Palm Beach: a crowd of young, party-loving Republicans eager to claim their slice of MAGA paradise.
‘I think this town is a little bit aghast at itself,’ Celerie Kemble, an interior director and native of Palm Beach, told The New York Times.
‘It’s like new convertibles, fake nails, fake boobs, fake hair, fake eyes and big jewelry,’ she added.
‘These people are dressing up to get coffee.’
In majority-Republican Palm Beach, where more than 50 billionaires call home, real estate agents are working overtime as deep-pocketed newcomers drive property prices through the roof.
Old money elites in Florida ‘s ultra-wealthy Palm Beach are fuming over a wave of brash, young MAGA loyalists flooding into the island – some boldly declaring themselves to be ‘part of the new world order’
For years, Trump-aligned celebrities and multimillionaires have been flocking to the ultra-exclusive enclave of Palm Beach – home to the president’s lavish Mar-a-Lago club (pictured), where a single membership comes with a jaw-dropping $1 million initiation fee
Known as a playground of old-money dynasties, Palm Beach has long attracted big names like Jon Bon Jovi, Tom Ford, Charles Schwab – and even the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein – who all owned properties in one of America’s most outrageously expensive zip codes
Trump indirectly fueled Florida’s real estate boom during his first term by signing the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which limited state and local tax deductions – prompting a flood of wealthy residents from high-tax states into the coastal town.
‘It’s not just the billionaires who moved here,’ Holly Meyer Lucas, a real estate agent in South Florida, told the NYT.
‘It’s the sons of billionaires, the daughters, the family office staff,’ she added. ‘The ripple effect kept prices soaring for years.’
The vibe on the island started to shift back in 2016, as Trump’s first term kicked off -locals who once flocked to Mar-a-Lago for elite dining and networking suddenly found themselves crammed into rooms with strangers they barely knew or liked.
‘It’s a lot of name-dropping, a lot of clout chasing,’ Melissa Rein Lively, founder and chief executive of America First PR, told the outlet.
‘Everybody’s trying to get close to the president and his inner circle.’
Now, with Trump’s second term in full swing, Palm Beach barely resembles its old elite self – overrun by loud, young MAGA devotees flooding the town, all hoping to catch a glimpse of their president.
To these politically obsessed newcomers, Trump isn’t just a leader, but rather a living tourist attraction. And when he’s in Palm Beach, they treat the town like his personal, palm-lined kingdom.
To these politically obsessed newcomers, Trump isn’t just a leader, but rather a living tourist attraction. And when he’s in Palm Beach, they treat the town like his personal, palm-lined kingdom
Trump indirectly fueled Florida’s real estate boom during his first term by signing the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which limited state and local tax deductions – prompting a flood of wealthy residents from high-tax states into the coastal town
For many longtime residents, the transformation feels more like a hostile takeover than a glamorous revival – one that’s upending decades of old-money tradition
But for many longtime residents, the transformation feels more like a hostile takeover than a glamorous revival – one that’s upending decades of old-money tradition.
During high-profile dinners and galas at the club, guests are met with strict orders from Secret Service: stay in your seats, no photos, and don’t move an inch as President Trump strides into the room, the NYT reported.
Among the new wave of young Palm Beach elites, 27-year-old entrepreneur Andrés DePew stands out – eager for the perfect party pic, even if it means skirting Secret Service orders at Trump’s exclusive events.
‘It’s like you’re asking kids not to eat sugar, right?’ he told the NYT.
Leta Austin Foster, a Palm Beach native and owner of a high-end boutique filled with fine linens, children’s wear, and upscale home goods, has seen the shift firsthand -and she’s not alone.
Her daughter, too, has noticed the once-refined town taking on a flashier new identity.
When Leta Austin Foster returned to the paradise enclave in 2006, fewer than one percent of the population was under 35 – a testament to Palm Beach’s reputation as a haven for the older, established individuals.
But now, the scene has shifted dramatically, with a flood of young faces reshaping the town’s vibe and societal status.
A millennial who met a longtime resident didn’t hold back upon meeting, claiming he was on the island as ‘part of the new world order’ – a declaration that left her raising eyebrows
Among the new wave of young Palm Beach elites, 27-year-old entrepreneur Andrés DePew stands out – eager for the perfect party pic, even if it means skirting Secret Service orders at Trump’s exclusive events
Even as young newcomers flood the hottest nightclubs and upscale eateries, many Palm Beach veterans are standing their ground – and have no intention of leaving their hometown behind
‘Here’s a young person,’ Foster’s daughter said to their 20th customer of the day, as reported by NYT. ‘This never happened before.’
But just as quickly, the flashy young MAGA crowd rubs longtime locals the wrong way, sparking plenty of friction in Palm Beach’s posh streets.
A millennial who met Foster didn’t hold back, claiming he was on the island as ‘part of the new world order’ – a declaration that left her raising eyebrows.
But most longtime residents – who rely on highbrow publications for their news – are deeply turned off by Trump’s corporate policies, aggressive tactics against law firms and his cuts to key European alliances.
Even as young newcomers flood the hottest nightclubs and upscale eateries, many Palm Beach veterans are standing their ground – and have no intention of leaving their hometown behind.
‘The fact is, everybody here is safe because of their money,’ Kemble added.
