Trump and Melania leave New York: First Couple become Florida residents after prez thinks 'few have been treated worse'
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have filed paperwork to change their official residence from New York City to Palm Beach, Florida, according to reports. The documents were filed by Trump in September with the Palm Beach County Circuit Court changing his primary residence from Trump Tower to his Florida resort Mar-a-Lago. Melania Trump, in an identical set of filing, also changed her residence to Palm Beach.
Trump, in a series of tweets, acknowledged the change on October 31, writing: "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House, is the place I have come to love and will stay for, hopefully, another 5 years as we MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, but my family and I will be making Palm Beach, Florida, our Permanent Residence."
"I cherish New York, and the people of New York, and always will, but unfortunately, despite the fact that I pay millions of dollars in city, state and local taxes each year, I have been treated very badly by the political leaders of both the city and state"' the president continued. "Few have been treated worse. I hated having to make this decision, but in the end it will be best for all concerned. As President, I will always be there to help New York and the great people of New York. It will always have a special place in my heart!"
Shortly after his announcement, New York lawmakers responded with satisfaction as the New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted: "Don't let the door hit you on the way out or whatever."
NY governor Andrew Cuomo also wrote a tweet in response, saying: "Good riddance. He's all yours Florida." Cuomo also claimed that Trump did not even pay taxes in New York.
The documents reportedly described Mar-a-Lago as the Trumps' "predominant and principal home" and added that the pair intended to reside at the location permanently. The filings also contained attachments of the lists of "other places of abode" as Trump's Bedminster, New Jersey golf club and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, which is the address of the White House, according to the Daily Mail.
Trump, who was in Queens, has always been a New Yorker, however, ever since taking office in January 2017, he has rarely returned to his penthouse in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. He now prefers spending his weekends at his resort in Florida.
According to a report by the New York Times, although White House officials refused to comment on the reason Trump changed his official residence, a person close to the president told the outlet that the move was primarily done for tax purposes. The person also added that Trump was infuriated by a lawsuit filed by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, seeking to release his tax returns publicly.