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Internet Outraged Trump Is Now Calling Mar-a-Lago the ‘Southern White House’

91 years ago cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post completed construction on a Florida barrier island mansion she named Mar-a-Lago, “sea to lake,” in Spanish. Donald Trump bought the 126-room property in 1985. Post had dreamed of it becoming the “Winter White House,” and as President, Trump has tried to make that nickname stick.
Mar-a-Lago is Trump’s private business, but he has made clear he sees no wall between his businesses and his role as president.
He initially took to calling Mar-a-Lago the “Winter White House,” but increasingly is referring to it as the “Southern White House.” And many people are furious.
Unlike other presidential retreats, Camp David for instance, Trump owns Mar-a-Lago. And just like his other businesses, Trump uses his position as president to deliver free advertising for the property.
But as many have noticed, there’s something implicitly sinister and racist about referring to Mar-a-Lago as the “Southern White House.”
There is only one White House. The Founding Fathers had made New York City and Philadelphia the home of the federal government at various times. But they wisely then made Washington, D.C., a point somewhat in the center of what then was the U.S., the capital.
Trump today tweeted he was interrupting his golf game to go watch the funeral of former First Lady Barbara Bush, and declaring it a “beautiful day!”
Heading to the Southern White House to watch the Funeral Service of Barbara Bush. First Lady Melania has arrived in Houston to pay our respects. Will be a beautiful day!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2018
On Twitter, many expressed outrage, with some focusing on the racist “dog whistle” aspect of calling Mar-a-Lago the Southern White House, and others commenting on his monetization of the presidency for personal gain.
God you are so gross. “Southern White House” just makes it sound like a plantation. Considering how racist you are–seems about right.
— Veronica (@TahoeBoulder) April 21, 2018
“Southern White House” is also a racist dog whistle. https://t.co/LavRJ9x4oL
— Jeff in the USA 🇺🇸 (@JeffFromNH) April 21, 2018
There’s no southern White House. This is a dog whistle. The whole south will rise BS. They lost. They have no WH. Before he called it the Winter WH. Now Southern? It’s all about making the racist south supporters believe that he’s with them. He knows it’s going down soon.
— “Shadey Councilor” Hassan Mueller (@TDeLynne) April 21, 2018
The “Southern White House” is implicitly racist and offensive. In light of Trump’s Nationalist agenda, it is not a frivolous term. #dogwhistle
— Nina Rodham Clinton (@Oldgringo12) April 21, 2018
“Southern White House” sounds a lot like a racist dog whistle. So there’s that. https://t.co/LavRJ9x4oL
— Jeff in the USA 🇺🇸 (@JeffFromNH) April 21, 2018
There is no Southern White House. Stop using your office to profit your private business. https://t.co/ppFZ5cBvlV
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) April 21, 2018
First, Mar a Lago is an exclusive club that only the 1% can afford. It is not the southern White House. It is a gaudy pretentious building. Second, you didn’t go to the funeral because it’s not a safe space for you. They hate you. Period. You’re not welcome.
— 🇺🇸Resista-200 days til #BlueWave-Sista🗽 (@debiowens) April 21, 2018
There is no such thing as the southern White House. It’s a private club that you own, and where you fleece the tax payers out of millions of dollars. How about you go to the real White House and do some real work. The Presidency is a full time job you lazy SOB.
— Jdarcey (@Jdarcey13Jon) April 21, 2018
a.) you don’t pay respect by watching it on TV
b.) there is no southern white house
c.) you’re just selling luxe subscriptions on our dime
d.) you’re corrupt as hell and you should resign— Elliott Lusztig (@ezlusztig) April 21, 2018
Image via Wikipedia/Public Domain
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