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On April 30, 1997, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was purchasing the famous Mar-a-Largo club in Palm Beach, Florida, and opened it to Jews and African Americans, putting him at odds with rival clubs at Palm Beach, writing that the cultural clash began approaching a climax last fall, when Mr. Trump’s lawyer sent the town council members a copy of the movie “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.”
Mr. Trump then approached the city council to lift the restrictions placed on the club. He also asked certain members of the Council not to vote on the request because their membership in other clubs created a conflict of interest. Last December, after the council refused to lift the restrictions, Mr. Trump lodged a lawsuit. District Court Palm Beach, alleging that the town discriminated against Mar-a-Lago, partly because it was open to Jews and African Americans. The suit is seeking $100 million in damages.
The former ADL leader, Abraham Foxman, praised Trump, as WSJ reported: Mr. Foxman was pleased that Mr. Trump has raised the issue of discriminatory policies in social clubs. “He’s put the light on Palm Beach,” says Mr. Foxman. “Not on beauty and glitter, but on its more seamless side of discrimination.” In recent weeks, Mr. Foxman says the league has received calls from Jewish residents about the changes in Palm Beach clubs.