Trump in Palm Beach: VIPs flock to New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago
UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: Hundreds of people attended the pricey New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, former baseball star Keith Hernandez and Donald Trump's three oldest children.
The president predicted a “fantastic 2018” as he arrived to ring in 2018.
RELATED: Trump spends day with governor, golf, attends party with wife, son
Tickets for the New Year’s Eve gala were for $600 for club members and $750 for guests, Politico reported.
RELATED: “Trump Squad” gets surprise invite to Mar-a-Lago
UPDATE 10:40 p.m.: Dr. Gina Loudon, media personality and regular guest on Fox News and Fox Business.
UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: What is Melania wearing? It's Erdem's Emery floral sequined midi dress. The price? Originally priced at $5,500, the dress can now be found online for about $2,500.
UPDATE 9:35 p.m.: Lou Dobbs
Casino owner and RNC finance chair Steve Wynn the latest to arrive at Mar-a-Lago party. We’ve also seen Keith Hernandez, Lou Dobbs, Eric Trump and Don Jr. #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/cH0GMiEEsJ
— Justin Sink (@justinsink) January 1, 2018
UPDATE 9:31 p.m.
Palm Beach County GOP activist Linda Stoch has arrived at @realDonaldTrump’s Mar-a-Lago #NewYearsEve gala. pic.twitter.com/ag94OdohTp
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) January 1, 2018
UPDATE 9:22 p.m.: The official Trump/Kushner New Year’s Eve greeting and their walk down the red carpet.
UPDATE 9:16 p.m.: Mitchell Sozio, teenage entrepreneur. Founder of Littysneaks.
UPDATE 9:12 p.m.
UPDATE 9:03 P.M. Eric Trump and wife Lara on the red carpet tonight.
UPDATE: 8:55 p.m. There will be some good eating tonight at Mar-a-Lago. Lobster ravioli, tenderloin, sea bass and the traditional New Year's Eve baked Alaska.
UPDATE: 8:48 p.m. Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner arrive on the red carpet with two of their three children.
Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump at Mar-a-Lago pic.twitter.com/6JfqLqDyo1
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) January 1, 2018
UPDATE 8:39 P.M.: Former Major League Baseball first baseman Keith Hernandez arrives with his wife at Mar-a-Lago. Hernandez played the majority of his career with the St.Louis Cardinal and New York Mets.
Keith Hernandez arrives at @realDonaldTrump’s Mar-a-Lago for #NewYearsEve pic.twitter.com/JhaTr9k0yh
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) January 1, 2018
UPDATE 8:30 P.M. No word on what Louise Linton is wearing but she may tell us later. In an Instagram post earlier this year, Linton tagged some of the luxury fashion brands she was wearing in a photo of her and her husband, Treasury Sec. Steven Mnuchin, descending the steps of a government plane. Linton then criticized a commenter who questioned why she had promoted the brands, by boasting about her wealth.
UPDATE: 8:15 p.m.: Party on the Moon is the band playing at Mar-a-Lago tonight. The band has played at Mar-a-Lago's New Year's Eve galas since 2009 and was recently rated the top party band for weddings, private and corporate events by Vogue Magazine. They posted this photo of the Mar-a-Lago ballroom on their Instagram account earlier tonight.
UPDATE: 7:45 p.m. Guests are beginning to arrive at Mar-a-Lago, where they will bring in the New Year with the president and first lady.
Some of the early arrivals at @realDonaldTrump’s Mar-a-Lago #NewYearsEve party. #TrumpinPalmBeach pic.twitter.com/04xwmtfcEZ
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) January 1, 2018
UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.: President Trump sent out a Happy New Year message to what amounts to pretty much everyone:
As our Country rapidly grows stronger and smarter, I want to wish all of my friends, supporters, enemies, haters, and even the very dishonest Fake News Media, a Happy and Healthy New Year. 2018 will be a great year for America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
UPDATE, 5:10 p.m.: An official account of President Trump's lunch with Florida Gov. Rick Scott included news that the two men discussed the recent federal tax bill signed into law.
Trump returned from the golf club in mid-afternoon, with supporters along the route back.
Supporters cheering @realDonaldTrump as motorcade nears Mar-a-Lago. #TrumpInPalmBeach pic.twitter.com/1gUcren6Fr
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
UPDATE, 4 p.m.: President Trump released a year-end video about his first 11 months in the White House.
What a year it’s been, and we're just getting started. Together, we are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Happy New Year!! pic.twitter.com/qsMNyN1UJG
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
UPDATE: 1:04 p.m.: Party preparations are underway for tonight's New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago.
A glimpse of @realDonaldTrump’s Mar-a-Lago with #NewYearsEve2018 preparations. #TrumpInPalmBeach pic.twitter.com/nUjZhawRHY
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
Photos from the president’s motorcade heading to Trump International Golf Club:
UPDATE, 9:40 a.m.: President Trump's motorcade is leaving Mar-A-Lago, heading to Trump International Golf Club.
.@realDonaldTrump motorcade stopped at several traffic lights en route to golf course. #TrumpInPalmBeach#Populism pic.twitter.com/P0uHXI65fP
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
UPDATE, 9 a.m.: President Trump will have lunch with Florida Gov. Rick Scott today.
Among the items the president will discuss with Scott are “ongoing hurricane efforts, the need to improve the nation’s aging infrastructure and other matters important to Floridians,” according to The White House.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Donald Trump in Palm Beach
.@FLGovScott to have lunch with @realDonaldTrump today.
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
According to White House, @realDonaldTrump & @FLGovScott will “discuss ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, the need to improve the nation’s aging infrastructure and other matters important to Floridians.”
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
.@FLGovScott plans to bring up Lake Okeechobee dike repairs & recovery of citrus industry from #HurricaneIrma during lunch w @realDonaldTrump #TrumpInPalmBeach
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
Trump took to Twitter to talk about the economy, his 2016 opponent and the 2018 midterms in the last hour.
Trump discussed how he thinks the economy would be performing if his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, had won, and also his thoughts on what may happen if Democrats win congressional seats in next fall’s election.
If the Dems (Crooked Hillary) got elected, your stocks would be down 50% from values on Election Day. Now they have a great future - and just beginning! https://t.co/9TzSC8F8vY
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
Why would smart voters want to put Democrats in Congress in 2018 Election when their policies will totally kill the great wealth created during the months since the Election. People are much better off now not to mention ISIS, VA, Judges, Strong Border, 2nd A, Tax Cuts & more?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
Meanwhile, Mar-a-Lago is ready for tonight’s New Year’s Eve event.
A glimpse of @realDonaldTrump’s Mar-a-Lago with #NewYearsEve2018 preparations. #TrumpInPalmBeach pic.twitter.com/nUjZhawRHY
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
Tent for #NewYearsEve event on grounds of @realDonaldTrump’s Mar-a-Lago. #TrumpInPalmBeach pic.twitter.com/MkOcVt9J4Q
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
UPDATE, 8 a.m.: President Trump began his final full day at Mar-a-Lago by talking about Iran, and protests there.
.@realDonaldTrump begins final full day at Mar-a-Lago with eye on #Iran. #TrumpInPalmBeach https://t.co/sUFqpAGwNa
— George Bennett (@gbennettpost) December 31, 2017
ORIGINAL STORY: Donald and Melania Trump are expected to celebrate New Year's Eve at Mar-a-Lago. No public events have been announced.
The president has been in South Florida since arrving at Palm Beach Interntional Airport on Dec. 22.
PHOTOS: Trump in Palm Beach for Christmas visit
His days have been filled with golf and family events. On Christmas Eve, he and the first lady attended the late service at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach.
RELATED: Follow our Trump in Palm Beach Facebook page
There have been a few unexpected events, such as Wednesday's brief visit to a West Palm Beach Fire Rescue station.
RELATED: Who is using the Trump corporate chopper at Mar-a-Lago?
Trump is expected to head back to Washington on Monday.
