Dr Joseph Della- Giustina shares his experiences in Palm Beach and Donald Trump’s impact on the area. He arrived in Palm Beach in the early 1980s, facing doubts as an Italian-American in a community mostly led by WASPs. Despite this, he became a commissioner and served the town in various roles.

Trump came to Palm Beach around 1984-1985 when he bought Mar-a-Lago from Marjorie Meriwether Post’s estate. He later bought Trump Plaza condominiums in West Palm Beach in 1986 but returned the property in a deal before foreclosure in 1991.

During his time in Palm Beach, Trump dealt with legal and community issues. He fought against noise from Palm Beach International Airport, suing for $75 million in 1995. The county settled in 1996 by leasing him 215 acres near the airport to build a golf course. Trump International Golf Course opened in 2000.

Trump’s presence challenged Palm Beach’s social norms. He opened Mar-a-Lago to a diverse group, including Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, and Italians, who often faced exclusion from other Palm Beach clubs. This began to change the town’s social
makeup.

The narrative also mentions other Palm Beach stories, like Dora Chong, who pleaded guilty to her two-year-old son’s death, possibly to protect a well-known Palm Beach resident. Another event was the murder by Fred Keller, a wealthy resident who killed his wife during their divorce.