Mar-a-Lago becomes the new White House as Trump assembles inner circle for return to Washington

While current President Joe Biden, 82, winds down his final months in office, President-elect Donald Trump, 78, is busy preparing to take the reins of America. The new epicenter of U.S. power? Mar-a-Lago. Trump’s luxurious Palm Beach resort, sprawling over seven acres with 126 rooms, is now buzzing with Republican allies eager to secure a place in his administration.

The Battle for Top Positions Begins

Trump is hard at work meeting with guests and making phone calls as he carefully selects his inner circle. Key figures, such as tech billionaire Elon Musk, 53, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 70, are potential new members of Trump’s close-knit advisory team. From Cabinet roles to national security and foreign policy positions, Trump is setting the stage for his administration’s priorities and strategies.

The Transition Team in Full Swing

Meanwhile, a nearby West Palm Beach office, once Trump’s campaign hub, is now the headquarters for his transition team. Led by banker Howard Lutnick, 63, and former wrestling executive Linda McMahon, 76, the team faces a monumental task: filling over 4,000 roles before Trump’s official takeover on January 20.

Who Will Sit at the Table in the Situation Room?

As critical international crises unfold, Trump’s top advisors will meet in the White House Situation Room to strategize. Rumors swirl about who will occupy the highest seats:

• Secretary of State: Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, 58, is a leading candidate for the State Department role.
• UN Ambassador: Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, 40, known for her outspoken stance against campus antisemitism, is a contender for U.N. Ambassador.
• Defense Secretary: Senator Tom Cotton, 47, a foreign policy hawk and vocal Iran critic, is a top choice. Former CIA Director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, 60, is also being considered.
• CIA Director: Congressman Michael Waltz, 50, a fierce China critic, is in the running to lead the CIA and may also be considered for National Security Advisor.

The Return of Jared Kushner?

A lingering question is whether Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, 43, will return to the White House as an advisor. Kushner played a crucial role in Trump’s first term, especially in brokering peace agreements between Israel and nations such as the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan through the Abraham Accords. With current conflicts in the region, Trump may prioritize Middle East peace efforts again.

Bezos in the Mix?

Rumors also suggest that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 60, may soon make an appearance at Mar-a-Lago. Bezos recently extended a warm congratulatory message to Trump and, in a surprise move, blocked the Washington Post, which he owns, from endorsing Kamala Harris. Could Bezos be eyeing a spot on Trump’s advisory board? Musk may have other ideas—the two billionaires have a notoriously contentious relationship.

As the transition intensifies, Mar-a-Lago stands poised as the heartbeat of Trump’s preparations for his second term.