>>> Around 500 private citizens and a few foreign nationals have unprecedented access to the President of the United States. By paying a $200,000 initiation fee, $14,000 annual dues, and a $2,000 yearly minimum on food, they belong to Trump's swanky Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. This allows them to casually interact with the Leader of the Free World in a relaxed setting, often with no media present.

Trump has repeatedly asked members and their guests for advice about issues or nominations that are confronting him, and in one memorable instance, he and the Prime Minister of Japan dealt with an international nuclear crisis at their patio table, surrounded by members, their guests, and staff. In another recent occurrence, Trump offhandedly asked a club member if he would consider building the border wall with Mexico. And he's nominated three members of his club for positions as US ambassadors.

Who are these people who have unfettered access to "the Winter White House"?

Trump and the Mar-a-Lago Club haven't made a list available, so I'm piecing one together based on reports in the New York Times, Washington Post, New York Post, Palm Beach Post, London Guardian and Telegraph, Politico, Vanity Fair, Town and Country, and elsewhere. I'm also including staff and former members after the main list.

If you know of other members, or have corrections, please get in touch.

photo credit: Al Drago, New York Times