In recent months, six of the world’s ten wealthiest individuals have found themselves drawn to the same destination: Palm Beach International Airport, a gateway to Mar-a-Lago,
Donald Trump’s exclusive private club and political stronghold.
According to private jet records analyzed by Bloomberg News using the aviation data platform JetSpy, Mar-a-Lago has evolved into a prominent nexus of power, with Trump eagerly welcoming business magnates as he prepares for a potential second presidential term. Jets arriving from Hawaii, California, Texas, Washington, and nearby Miami provide a glimpse into the billionaires visiting Trump to secure alliances, curry favor, or solidify their standing with a leader who rewards loyalty and retaliates against opposition.
Since November, the six wealthiest individuals who touched down at Palm Beach International (PBI) collectively made 25 visits to the area — more than double the 10 trips recorded a year earlier, according to JetSpy. These trips underline Mar-a-Lago’s growing influence as a meeting ground for the nation’s economic elite.
Notable Visits and Alignments
Among the notable visitors was Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Meta Platforms Inc., whose relationship with Trump has been marked by shifting dynamics. Zuckerberg, who did not publicly support a candidate during the presidential election and famously banned Trump from Meta platforms after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, flew to Palm Beach from his Hawaii compound in late November.
Flight records indicate Zuckerberg’s jet landed at PBI on the evening of November 26, departing early Thanksgiving morning to return to Kauai. Meta later confirmed that Zuckerberg had dined with Trump during his brief stay. In a statement, the company said, “Mark was grateful for the invitation to join President Trump for dinner and to discuss the incoming administration with members of his team.”
In a notable turn of events, just over a month after this meeting, Meta announced plans on Trump’s favored media outlet, Fox & Friends, to remove fact-checking features from its social media platforms—a concession welcomed by Trump, who has long criticized these practices.
Zuckerberg’s jet returned to PBI last week for another Mar-a-Lago meeting following a stop in Austin, Texas, where he appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast. During the interview, Zuckerberg praised Trump’s pro-business stance, saying, “The American technology industry is a bright spot in the American economy. It’s one of the things I’m optimistic about with President Trump. I think he just wants America to win.”
A Growing Circle of Influence
As Trump consolidates his power base ahead of the upcoming inauguration, Mar-a-Lago continues to attract billionaire power players eager to influence his policies or secure their status within his inner circle. The growing frequency of these high-profile visits underscores the club’s transformation into a pivotal hub for America’s economic elite, where political aspirations and business interests converge under Trump’s leadership.
This trend highlights the blending of politics and wealth in a post-election landscape, as Mar-a-Lago solidifies its role as a center of influence for the nation’s most powerful figures. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.
