Donald Trump’s deep roots in Palm Beach may become more apparent throughout his presidency.
PEOPLE learned from a series of exclusive interviews with sources close to Trump and his family that the incoming president may prefer to conduct his upcoming official duties from his Palm Beach home, Mar-a-Lago, rather than Washington, D.C.
“I believe Trump will attempt to run the nation from Mar-a-Lago. “He has always wanted to do that,” a political source tells PEOPLE, adding, “He is blissfully happy in Palm Beach.”
Long before Trump purchased the 1920s-era Mar-a-Lago estate, it was intended to serve as a “Winter White House” for a future president.
Its original owner, cereal company heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, left the property to the National Park Service after her death so that it could be used for government business, but it was later returned to private ownership due to maintenance costs.
Trump purchased Mar-a-Lago in 1985 and, decades later, realized Post’s vision of using it as his own presidential hub.
In the final weeks before his inauguration, the president-elect has been preparing for the role from Mar-a-Lago, with the help of Elon Musk, whom Trump has named co-leader of his proposed Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the world’s richest person, has been serving as Trump’s adviser, according to multiple sources. He’s even living nearby, at least part-time, according to a Palm Beach source, which will help his working relationship with Trump.
“Musk is staying in a cottage very close to Mar-a-Lago, but he wouldn’t be coming and going so freely if he didn’t have Donald’s blessing,” the Palm Beach source tells PEOPLE.
According to a political source, Musk’s closeness to Trump’s political decisions may change following Trump’s inauguration.
According to the source, the logistics and formality of the White House, as well as Musk’s responsibilities to his businesses, could impede his access.
When asked if Musk could have an office in the White House, the political source says it “certainly is possible.”
Many sources confirm that Trump and Musk’s partnership is currently going well, but any policy disagreements or altered power dynamics could disrupt their “bestie” relationship, according to the political source.
“As long as Elon serves as an adviser and assists Donald with whatever he requests, he will be welcomed,” a political source tells PEOPLE. “However, if it becomes a shadow presidency, it will end. Donald asks questions and listens to everyone, but he makes most of his own decisions.
They continue: “Trump advisers, Musk included, are there to serve a function.”
