Despite having access to private jets, luxury resorts, and an almost unlimited budget, the Trumps chose a surprisingly low-key honeymoon destination.
After their 2005 wedding, Donald and Melania Trump decided to stay put instead of jetting off to an extravagant location like the Maldives or the French Riviera. The newlyweds opted to remain at their wedding venue, Donald’s opulent Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
“We stayed in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach,” Trump later revealed, indicating that the couple spent their post-wedding days relaxing at home.
When questioned about their decision not to travel, the President responded, “Somebody said, ‘Where are you going for the honeymoon?’ And our attitude was, why would we leave Palm Beach with the most beautiful – you know they don’t call it Palm Beach for no reason. We have the most beautiful palm trees, right?”.
He further justified their choice of a staycation by saying, “So why are we going to leave our gorgeous, beautiful house called Mar-a-Lago and venture out into some tropical island where things aren’t clean?”
Trump originally purchased the estate in 1985, but it became too costly to maintain privately, reportedly racking up around $3 million annually. In true Trump style, he transformed the mansion into a profitable members’ club.
Since then, Mar-a-Lago has remained the family’s preferred venue for major events. Donald Jr., Eric, and Tiffany Trump all celebrated their weddings at the property. And if Barron Trump ever ties the knot, it’s likely Mar-a-Lago will once again be the setting.
Meanwhile, during her husband’s presidency, Melania often spent extended periods at Mar-a-Lago, away from the glare of Washington, D. C.
Melania and Donald Trump recently marked their 10-year wedding anniversary. They have one son together.
Prior to marrying Melania, Trump was previously wed to Ivana Trump and later to Marla Maples, with both marriages ending in high-profile divorces.
