A 23-year-old Texas man, Anthony Thomas Reyes, was arrested early Wednesday by Secret Service agents after he allegedly scaled the wall surrounding former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Reyes told authorities he was there to “spread the gospel” to Trump and intended to marry Trump’s 18-year-old granddaughter, Kai Madison Trump.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just after midnight while former President Donald Trump was in Washington, D.C.
Anthony Thomas Reyes was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail with bond set at $50,000 and conditions including no contact with Trump or his family, including granddaughter Kai Trump. He has pleaded not guilty.
This marks Reyes’ second attempt to trespass at Mar-a-Lago, having previously been removed from the property on New Year’s Eve. He currently faces state trespassing charges, with federal charges potentially forthcoming. Authorities have not confirmed any prior connection between Reyes and the Trump family.
The incident raises renewed concerns about security at high-profile residences, such as Mar-a-Lago, where Trump frequently resides. Despite Secret Service protections, repeat breaches have occurred at the property in recent years.
Kai Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr., is often seen in public appearances with her grandfather and was not present during the incident.
Past Incidents At Mar-a-Lago
Mar-a-Lago became a federally protected site in July 2024 after a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally. It’s not the first time the estate has been targeted. Ryan Routh allegedly plotted to kill Trump at his golf course, and Warren Jones Crazybull was charged with making death threats via phone.
