Trump's Mar-a-Lago hosts Turning Point event that sees Kayleigh McEnany, Tucker Carlson appear maskless
President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort hosted a packed conference for Turning Point USA, a conservative youth group, that saw the likes of Kayleigh McEnany, Roger Stone, and the CEO of MyPillow grace the event with their newfound star power. Friday's black-tie event also featured Laura Ingraham, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, and Trump campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley, per pictures shared on social media. Furthermore, former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski were also present, according to the Daily Mail.
Turning Point USA, which is popular among right-leaning or Trump-supporting college students, hosts an annual conference in Palm Beach, Florida, every December - when the POTUS leaves the White House to spend holidays at his Florida private club.
Trump addressed the group last year. However, he chose to stay back in Washington D.C. this year as he continues his efforts to constitutionally overturn the results of the disputed presidential election in November.
Students were addressed by a dazzle of conservative stars, including the president's eldest son Donald Trump Jr, his partner Kimberly Guilfoyle, Fox News host Tucker Carlson, as well as former Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka. Vice President Mike Pence is reportedly slated to speak on Tuesday, the last day of the five-day event, per the report.
Several photos shared on social media showed a crowded ballroom at Mar-a-Lago with barely a face mask in sight, possibly violating COVID-19 protocols. Two tickets to the fundraising dinner reportedly cost $10,000 and the event was sold out.
The wearing of facial coverings is mandatory in all businesses, establishments, and public spaces in Palm Beach County as coronavirus cases continue to spike across the country. More than 8,400 new cases of the deadly virus were reported on Sunday, according to a report by the Florida Department of Health. So far, the Sunshine State has recorded over 1.2 million cases and nearly 21,000 deaths.
That said, photos from the Mar-a-Lago bash a crowded ballroom with tables of 10 placed next to one another -- thereby making social distancing practically impossible.Guests were seen posing for pics in the ballroom, on the white marble stairs, around the plush swimming pool, as well as in front of a Turning Point sign.
However, the conference also faced some hurdles with county officials as several hundred attendees were turned away from the Palm Beach County Convention Center due to overcrowding. But while Palm Beach officials blamed organizers for overselling the event, popular figures like Donald Trump Jr and Tucker Carlson went outside with a bullhorn to talk to the crowd.
A local CBS station reported that Turning Point had "oversold their contract capacity by 500-600 people," quoting County Administrator Verdenia Baker. According to the report, she said that the "Convention Center is adhering to the contractual agreement with Turing Point of a 2,000 person capacity; this leaves 500-600 people unable to enter the Convention Center."
On the other hand, Turning Point COO Tyler Bowyer asserted that there were no capacity restrictions in the group's contract with the county.