A man was booked into a Florida jail Tuesday morning, telling authorities that he jumped a wall into President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate to “spread the Gospel” to Trump and marry his granddaughter, Kai, police said.
Why It Matters
Mar-a-Lago is the president’s permanent home in Palm Beach, Florida. He spends the majority of his free time between his resort in New Jersey and Florida, which are protected by local police and the Secret Service.
Since his first term as president, Trump has experienced numerous trespass situations on his Florida property.
What To Know
According to Palm Beach police, 23-year-old Anthony Thomas Reyes of Texas told Secret Service agents that “he had jumped over the wall to get into the property” of Mar-a-Lago early Tuesday morning.
The agents said that Reyes had not entered the sweep area or been given permission to enter the property. According to police, this is not the first time Reyes trespassed at Mar-a-Lago, citing an incident in December.
Reyes was read his Miranda rights, police say, and he then “openly admitted” that he climbed the wall surrounding Mar-a-Lago in order to “spread the Gospel to POTUS and marry Kai.”
Kai Trump, 18, is the president’s granddaughter and daughter of Donald Trump Jr. She is active on social media and an avid golfer. She committed to the University of Miami to play golf after graduating from high school.
Police say that at the time Reyes trespassed on the property, Mar-a-Lago was not accepting visitors or guests. He has been charged with one count of trespassing, with his bond set at $50,000.
Reyes has been ordered to have no contact with President Trump, Kai Trump or any family member. He has also been ordered to have no contact with any of Trump’s properties or witnesses.
A White House official told Newsweek that President Trump is aware of the incident and has been briefed. They also referred Newsweek to the Secret Service for additional information.
Main: President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, as seen on September 14, 2022. Inset: Anthony Thomas Reyes’ booking photo.
Main: President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, as seen on September 14, 2022. Inset: Anthony Thomas Reyes’ booking photo.
Getty Images/Palm Beach Police Department
What People Are Saying
Palm Beach Police Department, in its report: “On July 2024, the address of 1100 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach FL 33480, which is commonly referred to as Mar-a-Lago, became a federally protected area by the United States Secret Service. A security zone was created around Mar-a-Lago under 18 U.S. Code, Title 1752.
“There are numerous No Trespassing signs and the grounds are protected by the United States Secret Service. In order to enter the protected area, all persons are required to enter a predetermined sweep area where guests and employees are screened prior to being granted access to Mar-a-Lago. This pre-determined screening is adjacent to Mar-a-Lago in the Bath and Tennis Parking Lot which is part of the established security zone.”
What Happens Next
Reyes’ next court date is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 30, according to court documents.
Update 06/03/25, 8:31 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from a White House official.
