“We Made Great Money” Former Mar-a-Lago Waitress Shares Behind-the-Scenes Experiences
(Evan Vucci/AP)
Ashleigh Sasson, a former waitress at Mar-a-Lago, has shared her insights about working at Donald Trump’s exclusive members-only club, revealing both the glamorous and challenging aspects of the job. Serving at one of the most prestigious clubs in Palm Beach, Florida, Sasson’s experiences offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes.
Sasson’s journey to Mar-a-Lago began unexpectedly. A chef from the club noticed her dedication at a local restaurant and encouraged her to apply. Despite initial hesitation, Sasson took the opportunity and started working as a server at Mar-a-Lago in January 2016.
She recalls the financial perks of the job vividly. “We made great money. In peak season, each server could easily go home with around $150 cash, with some earning much more from particularly generous members. The largest tip I ever received was $800, and the largest tip I ever saw was $1,200 to another server on Easter Sunday,” she shared.
However, Sasson also faced challenges, particularly dealing with entitled behavior from some guests. She recounted, “As in any customer service job, you have some horrible experiences. There were plenty of distasteful moments, which made me a stronger person. Entitlement was a prevalent issue. One customer once tried to physically pull me into a hot tub with him. But overall, I learned customer service from top to bottom at Mar-a-Lago. It gave me a lot of confidence and professionalism, as per Daily Mail.
Most of all, I have fond memories of my time there. Everyone was excited and happy to be there, and we were all in awe of the place.” An intriguing aspect of serving at Mar-a-Lago was the “unspoken rule” regarding the Trump family’s gratitude. Sasson noted, “The Trump family never saw a check, but they were very gracious with their gratitude in the form of verbal appreciation and respect. It created a distinct dynamic for staff interactions.”
As per Newsweek, Sasson added, “I served plenty of meals to the entire Trump family and their friends. I didn’t deal with Donald Trump much because I started in January 2016, and after he got elected in November, it was different. He wasn’t allowed to come to The Beach Club as President. I spent a lot of time with Eric, Lara, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and their families. They were lovely people.”
Sasson highlighted the close relationships she formed with both colleagues and members of the social elite, emphasizing the professional growth that came with working in such an exclusive environment. “I would see Barron most often kicking his soccer ball around the property with his grandmother, Amalija Knavs, following close behind. Don Jr., Eric, and Don’s children frequented The Beach Club for the casual dining experience.
The children especially loved the self-serve ice cream and ice box filled with assorted ice creams. Chloe, Don Jr.’s daughter, was a fan of push-pops and Shirley Temples with extra cherries,” she reminisced. Overall, Sasson’s account provides a nuanced view of her time at Mar-a-Lago, highlighting both the benefits and the challenges of working at such a high-profile establishment.
