The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Episode: Lizzie Widdicombe Visits Mar-a-Lago

Date: July 3, 2017
Host: Dorothy Wickenden
Featured Reporter: Lizzie Widdicombe
Context: Lizzie Widdicombe travels to Palm Beach, Florida, to explore the unique role of Mar-a-Lago—the private club and "Southern White House"—in President Trump’s administration, and its impact on local culture and politics.

Episode Overview

This episode offers an inside look at the culture and social dynamics of Palm Beach, Florida, with special attention to President Donald Trump’s private club, Mar-a-Lago. Host Dorothy Wickenden and reporter Lizzie Widdicombe, joined by colleagues and local voices, provide a layered account of how the club blurs the boundaries between political power and high society, and reshapes both the town and perceptions of the presidency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Palm Beach’s Setting and Mar-a-Lago’s Emerging Role

• Palm Beach is portrayed as an ultra-wealthy, exclusive enclave—a place of “crystal water, pristine sand, and 70 degree temperatures in January.” (01:31)
• Mar-a-Lago, bought by Trump in 1985 and converted into a private club, now functions as both a residence and the site of presidential business, drawing together members, guests, and world leaders.

2. Local Reactions: Protest, Support, and Disruption

• Protesters and supporters gather near Mar-a-Lago when Trump is there, hoping for acknowledgment—sometimes rewarded, but often disappointed. (02:35)
• Quote:
  "He actually got out and called some supporters and brought him over to his home. They had Secret Service pick them up and bring them there. Amazing. Totally amazing." — Dorothy Wickenden (02:57)

3. Social Hierarchies: Old Money vs. New Money

• Palm Beach’s culture is divided between “old guard” and “new money,” with Mar-a-Lago seen as emblematic of the latter. (04:11)
• At traditional events like the Palm Beach Flower Show, established residents gather—showcasing a notable distance from the Mar-a-Lago crowd.
• Quote:
  "This is more...no, this is a very old Palm Beach crowd. These are people whose either they or their families have lived here probably for two generations. The Mar-a-Lago crowd is a much more recent to Palm Beach." — Unnamed Palm Beach Resident (06:47)

4. Political and Social Rift

• Political divisions are subtle within the wealthy community; “quiet money” supports Trump mostly out of desire for change, not awe of his business acumen.
• Quote:
  "Most of them are as successful as he is. So, you know, they just wanted the country on a different path. And Trump’s a different path." — Unnamed Palm Beach Resident (07:55)
• Local inconveniences, such as airport shutdowns and traffic jams when the President is in town, affect everyone, regardless of politics.
  "Pro-Trump or anti-Trump? Everyone in Palm Beach can agree on that. The traffic is a bummer." — Narrator (11:46)

5. Trump’s Historical Tensions with Palm Beach

• Trump’s combative relationship with local authorities is long-standing, exemplified by his legal battles over a non-compliant flagpole.
• Quote:
  "We have a giant teenager in our midst and acclimate yourself to that." — Unnamed Palm Beach Historian/Commentator (10:14)

6. The Mar-a-Lago Experience: Inside the Club

• Mar-a-Lago events are described as glamorous, with guests enjoying lavish buffets, gold-and-crystal décor, and the ever-present possibility of Presidential drop-ins.
• Despite increased security, gaining entrance as a guest is described as surprisingly manageable. (12:56)
• Atmosphere: Less exclusive and "snooty" than traditional Palm Beach clubs, if you can pay the high entry fees. (18:48)
• Notable Moment: Tasting “Trump Chardonnay,” compared to the President:
  • "It doesn't have much depth, but it has a little excitement. It's very fresh. So it's somewhat superficial in its character, but absolutely delightful in the drinking." — Dr. Herbert Gould (22:58)
• Inclusivity at Mar-a-Lago:
  "Trump is not interested in what religion you are... He wants you to love luxury... It's a whole different vetting system." — Dorothy Wickenden (18:16)

7. Palm Beach Life and Absurdities

• Quirky aspects include a “pet set” culture, with socialites walking elaborately groomed dogs in prams; even a Trumpette with a dog named “Trump.” (24:01)
• Irony: Trump himself is “famously not an animal lover.” (25:03)
• "My favorite protest sign is somebody had a big sign that said 'He doesn't even have a dog.' And I thought that was wonderful." — Paulette Cooper Noble (25:07)

8. Politics Amid the Party: The Syria Strike

• The episode climaxes as news breaks that Trump, from Mar-a-Lago, ordered Tomahawk missile strikes on Syria.
• Quote:
  "Just before dinner, he had his NSC meeting right here, and they attacked Syria. Fifty Tomahawk missiles..." — Lizzie Widdicombe (26:52)
• The juxtaposition of international crisis with socialite revelry underscores the surreal nature of a presidency lived from a “private palace.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We have a giant teenager in our midst and acclimate yourself to that.”
  – Unnamed Palm Beach Historian/Commentator, on Trump’s longstanding behavior (10:14)

• “He doesn't have much depth, but it has a little excitement. It's very fresh. So it's somewhat superficial in its character, but absolutely delightful in the drinking.”
  – Dr. Herbert Gould, on Trump Chardonnay mirroring Trump’s persona (22:58)

• “Trump is a man of the people. As long as the people can cough up $200,000 plus annual dues...”
  – Narrator, wryly highlighting the exclusive inclusivity of Mar-a-Lago (18:54)

• "My favorite protest sign is somebody had a big sign that said 'He doesn't even have a dog.' And I thought that was wonderful."
  – Paulette Cooper Noble (25:07)

• "Just before dinner, he had his NSC meeting right here, and they attacked Syria. Fifty Tomahawk missiles..."
  – Lizzie Widdicombe, on the overlap of social scene and statecraft (26:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Palm Beach landscape & Mar-a-Lago introduction: 01:31–02:35
• Local protest/support scene: 02:35–03:15
• Old money vs. new money, Flower Show: 04:11–07:17
• Political divisions & local inconvenience: 07:28–11:46
• Trump's historical tensions with Palm Beach: 08:46–10:44
• Inside Mar-a-Lago; describing décor and guests: 13:43–16:55
• Inclusivity, exclusivity, and club culture: 17:00–19:00
• Syria missile strike news breaks at Mar-a-Lago: 26:44–27:54

Tone & Style

The episode mixes wry observation, social satire, and grounded reporting. Voices alternate between bemused locals, socialites, and critical observers, all painting a rich picture of a community both charmed and disrupted by having the “Southern White House” in their midst.

Summary

Lizzie Widdicombe Visits Mar-a-Lago is a sharp, revealing exploration of how Donald Trump’s presidency transformed Mar-a-Lago into a center of American political and social life, with ripple effects across Palm Beach’s old guard and nouveau riche. Blending humorous anecdotes, pointed commentary, and on-the-ground impressions, the episode encapsulates the bizarre, sometimes unsettling mix of power, privilege, and spectacle that defines this singular moment in American politics.