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 most powerful people in the world will not be there. This year they will all be 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 walk into newly elected President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and resort. To be admitted through the Spanish tile gates into the 17-acre estate, you must purchase a membership (at the reported cost of $1 million, if one is available at all) or be invited by a member.
During a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago on January 4, I was fortunate 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, 62,500-square-foot property, you’ll meet Carmen De Oliveira, maître d’ extraordinaire and head of dining services.
She might be the most powerful woman in America you’ve never heard of. Carmen tells you where to sit for dinner – and at Mar-a-Lago that’s crucial.
Not just anyone can walk into newly elected President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and resort. (Trump is pictured at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on January 7).
To enter the 17-acre estate through the Spanish tile gates, you must purchase a membership or be invited by a member. (Trump is pictured at Mar-a-Lago with Danielle Smith and Kevin O’Leary).
In the center of the patio, surrounded by more than a dozen round dining tables, the president-elect holds court with his most important guest of the evening.
It is the center of the universe, the sun. All the other tables – the planets – revolve around it.
If you don’t know Carmen yet, she might put you on Pluto. But if you’re in good standing with her (I was lucky enough that she’s a fan of Shark Tank), you can sit close to the center and stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who are driving the direction of the country will determine. for the next four years.
On that evening of January 4, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her delegation had dinner with Trump. And at the nearest tables sat potential members of the incoming Trump cabinet, senators, ambassadors, governors and entrepreneurs. (Elon Musk is usually there when he’s in town.)
If you’re lucky, you might even get Trump’s attention. And if he recognizes you, you have some time with him. Two weeks ago I was talking to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Last weekend (I’m now a returning visitor) I spoke with Danielle Smith, the Premier of Alberta, Canada.
This is where America’s business is now being conducted.
If you’re lucky, you might even get Trump’s attention. And if he recognizes you, you have some time with him. (Trump and O’Leary are pictured in conversation at Mar-a-Lago).
This is where America’s business is now being conducted.
I have been very open about my bid to buy the social media platform TikTok – owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance – which has led to national security concerns and a ban by President Joe Biden.
The US Supreme Court will rule on TikTok’s fate this week – and for some US users, it could lead to secrecy as soon as this weekend.
I believe my syndicate (in partnership with fellow entrepreneur Frank McCourt) offers the best opportunity to acquire TikTok and keep it operational. And everyone I need to talk to about my plans — from Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio to new National Security Advisor Mike Waltz — is at Mar-a-Lago.
You couldn’t pay me to get on a plane to Davis now. I hang out in South Florida, and if I get invited, I’ll drive to Winter White House.