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The Grifter's Club: Trump, Mar-a-Lago, and the Selling of the Presidency
An astonishing look inside the gilded gates of Mar-a-Lago, the palatial resort where President Trump conducts government business with little regard for ethics, security, or even the law.
Donald Trump's opulent Palm Beach club Mar-a-Lago has thrummed with scandal since the earliest days of his presidency. Long known for its famous and wealthy clientele, the resort's guest list soon started filling with political operatives and power-seekers. Meanwhile, as Trump re-branded Mar-a-Lago "the Winter White House" and began spending weekends there, state business spilled out into full view of the club's members, and vast sums of taxpayer money and political donations began flowing into its coffers, and into the pockets of the president.
The Grifters' Club is a breakthrough account of the corruption, intrigue, and absurdity that has been on display in the place where the president is at his most relaxed. In these pages, a team of prizewinning Miami Herald journalists reveal the activities and motivations of the strange array of charlatans and tycoons who populate its halls. Some peddle influence, some look to steal government secrets, and some just want to soak up the feeling of unfettered access to the world's most powerful leaders.
With the drama of an expose and the edgy humor of a Carl Hiaasen novel, The Grifters' Club takes you behind the velvet ropes of this exclusive club and into its bizarre world of extravagance and scandal.
Donald Trump's opulent Palm Beach club Mar-a-Lago has thrummed with scandal since the earliest days of his presidency. Long known for its famous and wealthy clientele, the resort's guest list soon started filling with political operatives and power-seekers. Meanwhile, as Trump re-branded Mar-a-Lago "the Winter White House" and began spending weekends there, state business spilled out into full view of the club's members, and vast sums of taxpayer money and political donations began flowing into its coffers, and into the pockets of the president.
The Grifters' Club is a breakthrough account of the corruption, intrigue, and absurdity that has been on display in the place where the president is at his most relaxed. In these pages, a team of prizewinning Miami Herald journalists reveal the activities and motivations of the strange array of charlatans and tycoons who populate its halls. Some peddle influence, some look to steal government secrets, and some just want to soak up the feeling of unfettered access to the world's most powerful leaders.
With the drama of an expose and the edgy humor of a Carl Hiaasen novel, The Grifters' Club takes you behind the velvet ropes of this exclusive club and into its bizarre world of extravagance and scandal.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2020
269 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 4, 2020
Covering Mar-a-Lago has been a local and regional story for Miami Herald journalists for decades--long before the current president bought the estate. This book started with local news stories by reporters who covered corruption and scandal that grew into international embarrassments for American taxpayers who foot the bill for untold tens of millions of dollars. Charged to them for alleged public business that is conducted in secret. Secret from the public, but international spies and influence-peddlers write a membership check or slip in the back entrance for access to the presidential cabal. This book is why a free and independent press is a foundation of our American democracy.
September 3, 2020
Factual, even-handed portrait of the grifters and sycophants who belong to Mar-a-Lago and live only for money, themselves and maybe a bit of fame for getting a chance to be seen with the most morally corrupt person on the planet - which after reading this book they all seem to be okay with. We are treated to a portrait of our Bozo president as a man who cares more about appearances and brand than anything - oh, if he only gave as much time and detail to running the country While the events detailed in the book were all previously reported on, as a collection they are a disgusting portrait of people out for themselves and hanging their next big nothing on a conman even worse then they are. That there is a group of women members called Trumpettes USA who can salivate over a misogynistic abuser of women is reprehensible! What you realize after reading all this is that the West Palm Beach world of Mar-a-Lago is not main stream America, that these lovers of their “god” are not patriots unless patriotism is professing love for money, greed and Donald Trump, and their stupidity represents a seamy side to this country. So many people dream of being rich but at what price: selling your soul to the devil? I now understand how some people think the village idiot can do great things for our economy - most of these people either have profited from or hope to. Sad tale but most enlightening.
August 29, 2020
entertaining but poorly organized and there's a few long profiles in Vanity Fair and such that deliver a portrait more effectively.
December 11, 2020
Asshole 2020
wish-list
August 4, 2020- A new book out today titled “The Grifter’s Club” says the late sex trafficker was indeed a member and the two stopped talking — and Epstein was kicked off the rolls and banned from Mar-a-Lago — following the incident with a club member’s teen daughter. miamiherald
August 3, 2020
There is the immediate revulsion that the President of the United States of America should own a crass club devoted to raking in money from the rich, that coloured my first impressions of this book. One of many about the distasteful tawdry Trump Administration.
Donald Trump, who has zero good taste, bought the fabulous mansion and grounds created by Margie Post. It was in it’s day the most elegant place with tiles from Cuban mansions and statues galore. Trump bought the run down place, that cost a fortune to maintain, so he was forced to turn it in to a profit making club. The food was mediocre, the pool was yellowed, but when the bizarre Trump became President, all the grifters and hungry for “closeness to powers folks“ spent hundreds of thousand for membership.
Trump made Mar-a-Lago the Winter White House and jets there with his entourage of hanger’s on and secret service guards on a regular basis. Security at the White House in Washington DC is very good, but when your poorly paid staff have to avoid offending the rich who buy access to Trump through club membership,security at the Florida club is a joke.
Trump loves showing off the adulation he receives from club member by conducting the nation's business with foreign leaders, including those of Japan and China in full view of other diners. He often called over his heavy financial contributors to say hello.
The book is heavy on detail about the uninvited non members who have strolled in to the club.
Mike Tyson came in with a member and was mobbed for autographs. But the Chinese grifters who have gotten in feature heavily in the telling. Too heavily in my opinion. So far not to kill the president but to get their pictures taken with Trump and family members so they can look well connected back home in China.
Trump so loves being loved and admired that he gave the proverbial finger to New York and declared Florida his home sweet home.
No doubt the New York prosecution’s attempts to hold his feet to the criminal fire after he leaves office will make him even more eager to return to his natural roots of selling himself to others, like a home town publican.
Donald Trump, who has zero good taste, bought the fabulous mansion and grounds created by Margie Post. It was in it’s day the most elegant place with tiles from Cuban mansions and statues galore. Trump bought the run down place, that cost a fortune to maintain, so he was forced to turn it in to a profit making club. The food was mediocre, the pool was yellowed, but when the bizarre Trump became President, all the grifters and hungry for “closeness to powers folks“ spent hundreds of thousand for membership.
Trump made Mar-a-Lago the Winter White House and jets there with his entourage of hanger’s on and secret service guards on a regular basis. Security at the White House in Washington DC is very good, but when your poorly paid staff have to avoid offending the rich who buy access to Trump through club membership,security at the Florida club is a joke.
Trump loves showing off the adulation he receives from club member by conducting the nation's business with foreign leaders, including those of Japan and China in full view of other diners. He often called over his heavy financial contributors to say hello.
The book is heavy on detail about the uninvited non members who have strolled in to the club.
Mike Tyson came in with a member and was mobbed for autographs. But the Chinese grifters who have gotten in feature heavily in the telling. Too heavily in my opinion. So far not to kill the president but to get their pictures taken with Trump and family members so they can look well connected back home in China.
Trump so loves being loved and admired that he gave the proverbial finger to New York and declared Florida his home sweet home.
No doubt the New York prosecution’s attempts to hold his feet to the criminal fire after he leaves office will make him even more eager to return to his natural roots of selling himself to others, like a home town publican.
August 6, 2020
Unnerving, unsettling, scary account of how little Trump’s team gets right and what a vulnerable national security risk his Southern WH really is, also the scope of plundering taxpayers $$$ is mind boggling. Not really a lot of new material, but brings what we thought we knew into more clear perspective to show the many layers of criminality that surrounds and includes 45, the RINOs, and his cult. We won’t survive another 4 years and not sure Donald can either.
August 11, 2020
I’m not sure which shocked me more , the amount of money flowing in and out ; taxpayers paying for inflated secret service accommodations, donors hangers on and just plain shady characters or just the porousness of the security details This book should give you pause as to the current state of political affairs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2020
Written by four newspaper reporters of high repute, this reads like a newspaper. And it was thrown together in the era of COVID which I assume explains the typos, the lack of an Index, and the unfinished feeling one gets through many chapters.
None of that matters too much. The Club and what occurs there fight for the spotlight. I perhaps am slightly prejudiced. A few years ago, while the 2016 campaign raged, I found myself being escorted to lunch by an old friend, his buddy, and my wife. We dined at Mar-a-Lago. Thus I was interested in the background scattered through the book and the various comments. For instance, it was acknowledged that the food is not particularly good at Donald's Club, and I have been laughing for years about that. The lunch menu the day I was there did not include hamburgers, but we did have the choice of mac 'n cheese, PB&J, and a hot dog. Our hosts opted for a seafood dish, the only hoity-toity item on the menu. We ate outside, seated right next to 'The Family's Table', none of whom happened to be around that day. There were, however, several people with 'names' and we overheard many conversations. It is fortunate for those people that they have money because judging from their lunch discourse, they suffer a serious lack of mental depth.
The descriptions of the croquet court (I would have loved to play on it), highway tunnel, and furnishings all rang true, but here and there things such as the leaky roof were mentioned. It may be The President's Home, The Southern White House, an expensive place to join, and so forth, but it is by no means a 5 Star operation. That the Grand Ballroom has 'real gold' on its ceiling does not make up for the lousy acoustics.
Enough about the Club. How about the people? I happen to be snobby without being rich; those who struggle to enter Mar-a-Lago with hopes of meeting The Don deserve what they get. Me, I need to take a shower after reading about that pack of dirty rats. Deplorables, indeed. "The Grifter's Club" is a guide to how sleazy influence peddlers sometimes operate.
None of that matters too much. The Club and what occurs there fight for the spotlight. I perhaps am slightly prejudiced. A few years ago, while the 2016 campaign raged, I found myself being escorted to lunch by an old friend, his buddy, and my wife. We dined at Mar-a-Lago. Thus I was interested in the background scattered through the book and the various comments. For instance, it was acknowledged that the food is not particularly good at Donald's Club, and I have been laughing for years about that. The lunch menu the day I was there did not include hamburgers, but we did have the choice of mac 'n cheese, PB&J, and a hot dog. Our hosts opted for a seafood dish, the only hoity-toity item on the menu. We ate outside, seated right next to 'The Family's Table', none of whom happened to be around that day. There were, however, several people with 'names' and we overheard many conversations. It is fortunate for those people that they have money because judging from their lunch discourse, they suffer a serious lack of mental depth.
The descriptions of the croquet court (I would have loved to play on it), highway tunnel, and furnishings all rang true, but here and there things such as the leaky roof were mentioned. It may be The President's Home, The Southern White House, an expensive place to join, and so forth, but it is by no means a 5 Star operation. That the Grand Ballroom has 'real gold' on its ceiling does not make up for the lousy acoustics.
Enough about the Club. How about the people? I happen to be snobby without being rich; those who struggle to enter Mar-a-Lago with hopes of meeting The Don deserve what they get. Me, I need to take a shower after reading about that pack of dirty rats. Deplorables, indeed. "The Grifter's Club" is a guide to how sleazy influence peddlers sometimes operate.
September 13, 2020
I've been reading all the 'tell-all' Trump books, and wanted to warn you about this one. I understand the information is relevant, perhaps we haven't read these stories in the newspapers....but the problem with having FOUR authors is like anything done 'by committee'. There's a dryness and lack of style in the writing that I find frankly - unreadable. I only read a chapter or two, hoping to find more to like, but I just don't understand why it took FOUR PEOPLE to write one book. It's not well-written and therefore, hard to read (for me). Pass.
August 20, 2020
Most is what is known but condensed in this version one begins to appreciate how things actually work in the Trump club winter White House. I am sure, most sane people are, that more will be revealed in time and that it is probably worse than what we now know. The epilogue should have been the prologue and the ending more a view of what will take place after the election win or lose?
This book did add some new dimension to how the current resident of the WH lives, lies and corrupts everything he touches. I feel for those who work at this club and how vulnerable and abused they are.
As for Palm Beach? It is what it is, is it not?
This book did add some new dimension to how the current resident of the WH lives, lies and corrupts everything he touches. I feel for those who work at this club and how vulnerable and abused they are.
As for Palm Beach? It is what it is, is it not?
August 11, 2020
This is a hard book to categorize. It’s neither a “Trump Tell-All” nor a political critique, but rather a cross between a current events piece and an investigative reporting of Mar-a-Lago during the Trump presidency.
I’ve read, now, 11 Trump books, most negative. Many of them, especially the ones printed early on, overlap, exaggerate, offer dubious reporting, or are far too partisan for my taste, but yet I read them because they all...capture something, in the end. But the early ones become outdated and I find myself trying to keep up. This one seemed to offer what the others didn’t, which was a look at Mar-a-Lago or the “Winter White House.”
It was interesting and up-to-date, though it leaves off at the beginning of COVID-19, which I suppose will make this one outdated soon. And how many more of these will come out? Regardless, it was a fast read and certainly researched, more so than the other “legitimately reported tell-all’s” with so many anonymous sources. This was researched and well-documented. It also did not overlap with all the others, making it unique.
I wish these reporters would also investigate the many other instances of corrupt “gray areas” that exist with lifelong politicians though.
I’ve read, now, 11 Trump books, most negative. Many of them, especially the ones printed early on, overlap, exaggerate, offer dubious reporting, or are far too partisan for my taste, but yet I read them because they all...capture something, in the end. But the early ones become outdated and I find myself trying to keep up. This one seemed to offer what the others didn’t, which was a look at Mar-a-Lago or the “Winter White House.”
It was interesting and up-to-date, though it leaves off at the beginning of COVID-19, which I suppose will make this one outdated soon. And how many more of these will come out? Regardless, it was a fast read and certainly researched, more so than the other “legitimately reported tell-all’s” with so many anonymous sources. This was researched and well-documented. It also did not overlap with all the others, making it unique.
I wish these reporters would also investigate the many other instances of corrupt “gray areas” that exist with lifelong politicians though.
September 11, 2020
It took me a little bit to get into the Audible narrator, but he grew on me. This is not your typical political insider book about Trump. It's a carnival full of funhouse mirrors. There were so many moments in this book that made me do a double take at the crazy that is the "Winter White House." Mar-a-Lago serves as both Trump's permanent residence and a private club for the billionaire class and the "remora" that feed off of them. This book is a glimpse into a world most of us will never have access to or can even imagine. The writing is witty and often comical, even if the content is sometimes alarming. One thing is for sure, being president has provided Trump certain financial advantages that presidents before him didn't have, thanks in large part to Mar-a-Lago. Was it legal? Maybe. Sometimes. Probably not.
[Full disclosure: I have personal relationships with some of the authors. I might not have picked up the book had I not known them, but friendships aside, it's an excellent and accessible book.]
[Full disclosure: I have personal relationships with some of the authors. I might not have picked up the book had I not known them, but friendships aside, it's an excellent and accessible book.]
August 6, 2020
An inciteful, thoroughly researched and referenced account of experiences at Mar-A-Lago. Historical context included with descirptions of recent events and persons at Mar-A-Lago. Includes clear examples of the weaknesses of this current President of the U.S. as well as his logic when making decisions.
September 21, 2020
The main joy I got from this book was learning that Mar-a-Lago is as phony as the con man who owns it. Leaks in the roof, mold in the rooms and basically allowed to go to ruin. Much like our country under the current administration. How people are not appalled at the lack of security there is beyond me. It's also apparent that much goes on that would alarm the public.
March 5, 2022
“Mar-a-Lago is not just a historic mansion or millionaire’s playground - it is a castle. And Donald Trump is king.”
No presidency has gone without its disreputable side, so, despite being a Trump supporter, this book’s cover immediately had me intrigued. Unlike the White House, Mar-a-Lago doesn’t keep visitor logs for the rich and powerful who meet with the president. I purchased The Grifter’s Club hoping for insider accounts detailing the back-door deals of Trump’s personal residence that would draw parallels to the darker side of JFK’s ‘Camelot’ or something.
Unfortunately, this book did not meet expectations. The lack of evidence at certain points will have you wondering if the 4 authors (yes, 4 authors for a short 191 pages) didn’t write a book to reveal a truth but rather just decided they hated Trump enough to use hearsay and biased opinions to build a case against him, arguing that his presidency is only concerned with making money and harboring fascist Europeans. The book even claimed one instance of Trump’s supposed racism was “confirmed” by someone who “heard about” the incident.
I still give this book 2 stars because it does include some interesting notes on the architecture and history of Mar-a-Lago — such as the fact that the Kennedys regularly socialized there or that Nixon considered making it a Winter White House. Very cool that the home historically found a way to connect itself the to presidency long before Donald Trump purchased it in 1985.
No presidency has gone without its disreputable side, so, despite being a Trump supporter, this book’s cover immediately had me intrigued. Unlike the White House, Mar-a-Lago doesn’t keep visitor logs for the rich and powerful who meet with the president. I purchased The Grifter’s Club hoping for insider accounts detailing the back-door deals of Trump’s personal residence that would draw parallels to the darker side of JFK’s ‘Camelot’ or something.
Unfortunately, this book did not meet expectations. The lack of evidence at certain points will have you wondering if the 4 authors (yes, 4 authors for a short 191 pages) didn’t write a book to reveal a truth but rather just decided they hated Trump enough to use hearsay and biased opinions to build a case against him, arguing that his presidency is only concerned with making money and harboring fascist Europeans. The book even claimed one instance of Trump’s supposed racism was “confirmed” by someone who “heard about” the incident.
I still give this book 2 stars because it does include some interesting notes on the architecture and history of Mar-a-Lago — such as the fact that the Kennedys regularly socialized there or that Nixon considered making it a Winter White House. Very cool that the home historically found a way to connect itself the to presidency long before Donald Trump purchased it in 1985.
June 7, 2022
Cards on the table; I have no time for Donald Trump. I think he's a narcissistic ignoramus who has done, and continues to do, irreparable damage to our country and to our democracy.
But this book is a featherweight journalistic hit-piece - guilt by innuendo and association. There is no index, which is telling; we're told there were meetings, between "a senior advisor" and representatives of "x" country, or "y" industry, trying to wring concessions from the White House, but nobody would tell them who the attendees were???? There's not enough substance in 188 pages for a book, and they probably couldn't have gotten it published as a three page article in a broadsheet newspaper because it didn't meet journalism's ethical benchmarks.
If you want to read about the confluence of money and influence in politics or the justice system read "American Oligarchs", or "I Alone Can Fix It", but don't waste your time on this one.
But this book is a featherweight journalistic hit-piece - guilt by innuendo and association. There is no index, which is telling; we're told there were meetings, between "a senior advisor" and representatives of "x" country, or "y" industry, trying to wring concessions from the White House, but nobody would tell them who the attendees were???? There's not enough substance in 188 pages for a book, and they probably couldn't have gotten it published as a three page article in a broadsheet newspaper because it didn't meet journalism's ethical benchmarks.
If you want to read about the confluence of money and influence in politics or the justice system read "American Oligarchs", or "I Alone Can Fix It", but don't waste your time on this one.
March 19, 2024
This wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't one that I would expect most people to enjoy. If you don't like Trump, you may not want to spend as much time thinking about him as reading the book requires--especially since the "reward" for doing so is largely to learn some more in-depth information that only confirms your preconceived beliefs. If you do like Trump, or if you somehow have neutral feelings, you may find the authors' attitudes toward him to be offputting. That having been said, I do think the depiction of Trump is rather fair: while he's described as dishonest, egotistical, conniving, temperamental, and somewhat reckless, he's also shown to be a savvy promoter and a gracious host who takes the time to get to know the people around him (at least superficially) and seems to care about earning their approval.
But the main "character" of the book isn't Trump himself, but his historic home, Mar-a-Lago. We see its origin story (it was first pitched as a potential "Winter White House" long before Trump purchased it), its decline and subsequent rebirth as a social club for elites (but one that opened its doors to a broader swath of elites than its snobbier peers), and its tragic fall as it winds up falling in with the wrong crowd--the criminals, spies, sycophants, and charlatans whose escapades take up most of the story.
A lot of the issues with Mar-a-Lago and its denizens, while certainly illustrative and indicative of larger problems, just seemed like small potatoes, while weightier issues were generally ignored (being outside the book's scope). It wasn't a boring read, but mostly I just wanted to be done with the unlikeable, unsympathetic cast of characters and move on to something else.
But the main "character" of the book isn't Trump himself, but his historic home, Mar-a-Lago. We see its origin story (it was first pitched as a potential "Winter White House" long before Trump purchased it), its decline and subsequent rebirth as a social club for elites (but one that opened its doors to a broader swath of elites than its snobbier peers), and its tragic fall as it winds up falling in with the wrong crowd--the criminals, spies, sycophants, and charlatans whose escapades take up most of the story.
A lot of the issues with Mar-a-Lago and its denizens, while certainly illustrative and indicative of larger problems, just seemed like small potatoes, while weightier issues were generally ignored (being outside the book's scope). It wasn't a boring read, but mostly I just wanted to be done with the unlikeable, unsympathetic cast of characters and move on to something else.
May 6, 2023
The amount of tax payer money that has poured into Trump's bank accounts since he declared his own property - a club, no less - to be the 'winter residence' of the President is probably beyond calculation. But it's likely to be in the millions. Members of his cult still seem to believe that he is there for them, & it sounded like he might be when he first announced his candidacy, but the only pockets Trump was ever interested in filling were his own. The logistical nightmare of providing security for a rogue President who insisted he should live a large part of each year at a club that has 500 members is well-presented here; as is the Donald's total disregard for convention, & complete disinterest in making the work of the dozens of people tasked with securing his safety easier for them. As always, it is only about him. But a long digression into the case of a single Chinese woman who managed to easily infiltrate Mar-a-Lago for still obscure reasons prevents the book from concluding with a final damning statement about the cancer on democracy that is Donald Trump.
September 11, 2020
I listened to and read this book. It is not your typical political insider book about Trump. It's an entertaining carnival full of funhouse mirrors. There were so many moments in this book that made me do a double take at the crazy that is the "Winter White House." Mar-a-Lago serves as both Trump's permanent residence and a private club for the billionaire class and the "remora" that feed off of them. This book is a glimpse into a world most of us will never have access to or can even imagine. The writing is witty and often comical, even if the content is sometimes alarming. One thing is for sure, being president has provided Trump certain financial advantages that presidents before him didn't have, thanks in large part to Mar-a-Lago. Was it legal? Maybe. Sometimes. Probably not.
[Full disclosure: I have personal relationships with some of the authors. I might not have picked up the book had I not known them, but friendships aside, it's an excellent and accessible book.]
[Full disclosure: I have personal relationships with some of the authors. I might not have picked up the book had I not known them, but friendships aside, it's an excellent and accessible book.]
September 28, 2020
Pretty much gossip about what goes on at the President's castle. It was about ¼ interesting the rest was catty and mostly what those who feel that women don't know or see what is happening. The lead author is intelligent and saw many interesting things. The one thing I could tell is that most of the women that do hang on to IQ45 are as air headed and most of the men in power think that women are. I don't mean this as an insult to women. Yet those that Yap and carry on are indeed the botox, surgical made floozies that bat their eyes for Trump and men of power so they can lick from the trough of power. The author played the part and did get some interesting information that is worth the time, but seriously about ¼ is really interesting. The rest is idle and just the words to make it into a book and not a pamphlet.
December 9, 2020
While I’m sick of everything dealing with the now lame duck President, I thought this book which focuses on Palm Beach instead of New York and Washington D.C. would be more interesting. It was in the early chapters that discuss how and why Trump bought Mar-A-Lago (I learned what that name means) and even gave a brief history of Palm Beach. But once it moved to the Winter White House days, the book became boring. We know all we need to know about how corrupt Trump is, what a terrible President he has been, how many fools and sycophants love to be in his presence, and how much he loves their adulation. My early New Year’s Resolution is not to read a book about Trump in 2021.
December 1, 2020
I rate this book 3 1/2 stars! I do live in FL and follow the crazy Mar-a-Lago local news. This book has an interesting perspective as it includes the viewpoint and backgrounds of some Mar-a-Lago members. Many of the incidents featured in the book are well known but the book provides details that were not publically disclosed. It's short and an easy read. In the end, you may appreciate the title. It truly is a club owned by a grifter and frequented by grifters. The role it played as The Winter White House should concern every citizen and taxpayer. This is an amusing, fun read.
September 9, 2025
What an awesome read! Blaskey, et al. show their readers where an otherwise ignored, never ending grift by Trump took place and how. I'd love to see a follow up from them about his second terms. The chapters on Cindy Yang had me wondering about whether or not she had any connections to Epstein and Maxwell and therefore Trump. Well written -- which you expect from journalists, but I've read some books by journalists that are dry reads. This one is not. And the writing from author to author is seamless. They have different writing styles, but meld in this book so it is one unified voice.
December 14, 2025
The lack of national security at Mar-A-Lago is terrifying! Although I knew some of what was reported in the book, there was much that I didn’t know. The Secret Service depends on the Mar-A-Lago staff to let them know who is allowed in and who is not (much of the staff are here on short-term visas). The fact that the WiFi is public is ridiculous.
Also, the Chinese tourist industry brought in many people that were risks to our national security. Just one more example of how Trump’s grifting nature endangers us all.
Also, the Chinese tourist industry brought in many people that were risks to our national security. Just one more example of how Trump’s grifting nature endangers us all.
February 4, 2021
Interesting read about one of the greatest crimes perpetrated against this country. Informative and by far the most well researched book of its kind. The depth of detail in regards to access to the president and Trump’s rituals, provided insight into the “stable genius” who held the highest office in this country. I wish there had been more about pre-presidential years including relationship with Epstein.
March 8, 2021
Great reference & inside view of Mar-a-Lago & Beijing abroad/ Russian & Italian contextualized / Trump Ladies' Fan Club- the " Trumpettes "
Constellation of stars & World leaders & Billionaires.
Photo bomb & selfie craze perpetuates Trump as more important than he is. . I think Nov. Election and Trump's Big Lie of " Stolen " election begs for extra chapters ? Please write more.
Constellation of stars & World leaders & Billionaires.
Photo bomb & selfie craze perpetuates Trump as more important than he is. . I think Nov. Election and Trump's Big Lie of " Stolen " election begs for extra chapters ? Please write more.
March 25, 2021
What is the deal with Mar-a-lago and why do so many random people have access to the president. This book gives some insight. From a history of the property to the stories of want to be power brokers and Chinese national it's all here.
This is the only account I've read that gives direct insight to the inner working of the Club, clients and influence pedaling.
It's worth a read.
This is the only account I've read that gives direct insight to the inner working of the Club, clients and influence pedaling.
It's worth a read.
May 21, 2021
Clearly trying to prove the case that Mar-A-Lago provided unprecedented—perhaps illegal—access to the President. But rather than original reporting, the copious notes give the sense of a thinly prepared term paper. While the authors proved their thesis in spots, the narrative is often disjointed, inconclusive.
June 11, 2021
It was just "ok", ended abruptly, seemed to because espionage, lack of security, ended ith COVID. Sadly 8 months after the elections, Trumps nonsense and the filthy rich just go on.
Recommend? Perhaps if one wants to read what we have already learned and are sadly still learning...no words left, smh
Recommend? Perhaps if one wants to read what we have already learned and are sadly still learning...no words left, smh
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews