Trump's Mar-a-Lago Valued at $12 Billion by Defense Expert

Overvaluation Alleged in Tax Filing

Former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, was valued at over $12 billion in 2021, according to a defense expert. This valuation is significantly higher than the $276 million assessed value by the Palm Beach County assessor and the $18 million to $426.5 million range Trump reported on his tax filings.

Deed Restrictions Ignored

The defense expert, Jonathan James, testified that Trump's valuation ignored deed restrictions requiring the property to be used as a social club, not as a residence. James also noted that Trump's valuation was not supported by comparable sales data.

Trump's Response

Trump has disputed the lower valuations, claiming that Mar-a-Lago is worth "50 to 100 times more" than the assessed value. However, media outlets have cited Palm Beach real estate experts who support the lower valuations.

Ongoing Investigation

The valuation of Mar-a-Lago is part of an ongoing investigation into Trump's financial dealings. The investigation is examining whether Trump inflated the value of his assets to obtain tax benefits and secure loans.