At Trump's freewheeling Mar-a-Lago, allies jockey for jobs, tee times and a spot on the buffet line
CBSN
CBS News spoke with more than a dozen people with knowledge of events at Mar-a-Lago in the weeks between Election Day and Inauguration Day. They requested anonymity to share accounts of what was going on at the president-elect's Florida resort ahead of his second presidential term.
"Hello?" Donald Trump said into his cellphone one day last month. "Who is this?"
Music echoed through 1100 S. Ocean Boulevard, where he spent much of the 70-plus days of the presidential transition.
Four years ago, Donald and Melania Trump bid farewell. Many in both parties believed Trump was heading into a permanent political winter, especially after he sought to overturn the 2020 election, and a mob of his supporters attacked the Capitol. But the 45th president saw the moment differently — as a pause, not an end.
Joe Biden's inauguration four years ago took place just two weeks after rioters stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of his victory. When Biden's presidency began with his exhortation that "democracy has prevailed," few imagined it would end like this: being succeeded by a man who, Biden warned, "will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation."
This story originally aired April 13, 2024. It was updated on Jan. 18, 2025. MEGAN KINGSBURY TIKTOK POST: TikTok. I need you to do your thing. I need your help. This is my sister Madeline Kingsbury. Um, she's missing … MEGAN KINGSBURY TIKTOK POST: … Help us find her. She's got two kids. She's my best friend, she's my little sister. We need to get her back. Please help us. MEGAN KINGSBURY TIKTOK POST: It's Tuesday the 25th ... still no Madeline … now next week is May. We're still in this hell … MADDI KINGSBURY TEXT: You know I'm not really okay with or over the fact that you put your hand around my neck and pushed me down in front of the kids earlier so don't MEGAN KINGSBURY TIKTOK POST | April 14, 2023: Madeline still has not been located, unfortunately. Um, so we're still plugging along and looking for her. MEGAN KINGSBURY TIKTOK POST: My niece and nephew are no longer in the custody of their father. … you know we appreciate the concern for them but they're — they're in good hands. MEGAN KINGSBURY TIKTOK POST | June 7, 2023: Hey TikTok. Good morning. Happy Wednesday. ...Maddi's still missing … Please continue to spread the word about my sister, Madeline…
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With President-elect Donald Trump having pledged to stage a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration immediately after he takes the oath of office on Monday, local leaders and immigrant rights groups in Chicago met Saturday morning in the Pilsen neighborhood to make sure the community is prepared.