Hurricane Milton makes landfall: Will Trump's Mar-a-Lago in Florida survive?

As Hurricane Milton crashes into Florida’s Gulf Coast, there are rising concerns about the survival of former President Donald Trump’s famed Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. The storm, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, has already caused significant damage across the state, raising questions about whether the “Winter White House” will weather this storm as it has in the past.
Mar-a-Lago, built in 1927 by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, has withstood several hurricanes over the decades.The structure, anchored to the coral reef beneath it, has concrete and steel foundations, with walls as thick as three feet, making it remarkably resilient, the Palm Beach Post reported.
As Tony Senecal, Trump’s former butler, famously said in 2005, “This place will not move.” Despite this confidence, recent storms have tested the limits of Mar-a-Lago’s durability.
In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused roof damage and knocked down several trees on the property. Although the estate escaped significant structural damage, the storm highlighted the potential vulnerability of even this sturdy mansion. Earlier hurricanes, such as Frances and Jeanne in 2004, similarly left the property with minor damage, mostly to landscaping, the Palm Beach Post reported. Trump purchased the estate in 1985, turning it into a private club while retaining part of it for personal use.
Now, with Hurricane Milton producing winds over 100 mph and multiple tornadoes across Florida, Palm Beach and Mar-a-Lago face another test. The storm made landfall near Siesta Key, bringing destructive winds and a potentially deadly storm surge. Videos shared on social media showed funnel clouds forming over Palm Beach County, a stark reminder of the storm's power.
More than one million Floridians are without power, and emergency services in some counties have already been suspended as officials urge residents to shelter in place.