The Real Reason Donald And Melania Trump Are Skipping Their New Year's Eve Party
Donald Trump has made an unexpected departure from Mar-a-Lago, his resort located in Palm Beach, Fla. The president and his wife Melania Trump left Florida on Dec. 31, 2020, according to CNN, right before their annual New Year's Eve party, which is to be hosted at their resort.
Trump has hosted a swanky New Year's Eve event at Mar-a-Lago for more than two decades, The Palm Beast Post reported, complete with a red carpet and pricey tickets. Tickets to ring in the new year were slated to cost as much as $1,000 a person, according to the Daily Mail, and the outlet adds that in order to obtain a ticket, a guest must either be a member of the resort or a guest of a member.
A later report by CNN speculated that as many as 500 guests are expected to be in attendance. Several outlets reported that it is as yet unclear how the resort will accommodate guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But why did Trump leave Florida right before this big event? Keep reading after the jump.
Donald and Melania Trump head back to Washington as guests arrive
Donald and Melania Trump unexpectedly left Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 31, 2020 in order to return to Washington, D.C. Bloomberg's senior White House reporter, Jennifer Jacobs, explained in a tweet, "Trump and First Lady leaving Mar-a-Lago a day early — heading back to the White House tomorrow at 11a, missing the New Year's Eve party that hundreds bought tickets for."
Trump's reason for his early departure was rumored to pertain to President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential elections, according to the Associated Press. The outlet noted that a group of Republicans are hoping to overturn the results of the election on Jan. 6, 2021, when Congress is slated to confirm the results of the Electoral College. Other reports speculate Trump returned to Washington as tensions in Iran increase, according to Reuters (via the National Post). There are rumors that Iran could retaliate, especially around the anniversary of the American drone attack that killed "Iranian general Qassem Soleimani," which happened on Jan. 3, 2019, the outlet noted.
The New Year's Eve party will still go on without Trump and his wife. According to The Palm Beach Post, Trump's son, Donald Jr., shared photos of himself on social media, fishing in the area with his children and his brother-in-law, Jared Kushner. Per the outlet, Eric and Lara Trump are also in Florida. It may very well be that the Trump children, including Ivanka Trump, host the event with their father back in Washington.
Donald Trump has a lot on his plate
Donald and Melania Trump boarded Air Force One a day earlier than planned, leaving guests of his Mar-a-Lago resort without their presidential host for a planned New Year's Eve event. As CNN reported, guests were told that Trump would be in attendance at the bash.
Amid speculation about why Trump left Florida on Dec. 31, 2020, Reuters pointed out that he is still deeply embroiled in a "fight with Congress," which could explain his abrupt departure. In addition to hoping to overturn the presidential election results, Trump has been at odds with Congress over both "a defense bill and stimulus checks," according to Reuters. It all started when Trump tweeted a video message on Dec. 22, 2020, asking to increase the COVID-19 stimulus checks. "I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple," he said in the clip.
However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opted against this proposal on Dec. 30, 2020, saying that "Congress has provided enough pandemic aid," according to the Associated Press. That isn't all, though. It seems like Trump is at odds with everyone, including his wife — keep on reading to find out what supposed insiders are saying about the situation.
Did Melania's renovations put Trump in a bad mood?
Donald and Melania Trump arrived at their Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., a few days before Christmas in 2020, with sources alleging to CNN that the president was notably irritated and displeased.
One possible cause for Trump's anger? Supposedly, he didn't like the renovations made to their private residency at the resort, renovations which were overseen mostly by Melania, according to CNN. But it wasn't just renovations made to his personal living space that made Trump irked — the outlet claimed that he was upset about changes made throughout the resort and vocalized his displeasure with club management.
Trump's growing irritation is compounded by global issues, like the ongoing tension in Iran, CNN reported. With all of this going on, it makes sense he seemingly didn't want to put on a party hat and ring in 2021, opting instead for a more somber scene in Washington, D.C.