Former Mar

Release time：2024-05-17 05:37:06 Source：Global Gazetteer news portal

A former Mar-a-Lago waitress has lifted the lid on what it was really like to work at Donald Trump's club - from the 'distasteful moments' and 'entitled' customers to the 'unspoken rule' that the former President's family will never tip servers.

Ashleigh Sasson, from Palm Beach, Florida, was an employee at Trump's lavish members-only club from January 2016 until May 2018.

Now, the ex-waitress has opened up about some of the wild things that she endured during her tenure in an essay for Newsweek - such as serving celebrity guests and receiving $800 tips from wealthy clients.

She also spoke out about how the Trumps acted behind-the-scenes - and broke down some of the negatives that came with her job including when a client tried to 'physically pull her into a hot tub' with him.

A former Mar-a-Lago waitress has lifted the lid on what it was really like to work at Donald Trump 's club. Pictured: Mar-a-Lago

Ashleigh Sasson, from Palm Beach, Florida, was an employee at Trump's lavish members only club from January 2016 until May 2018

Now, the former Mar-a-Lago staffer has opened up about some of the wild things that she endured during her years there. Donald and Melania Trump are seen at Mar-a-Lago in 2022

Ashleigh explained that she landed the job after a Mar-a-Lago chef came to eat at a 'small beef and burger joint' she was working at, and 'noticed she was working really hard to clean up one of the tables.'

Impressed, she said he gave her his card and encouraged her to apply for a job at Mar-a-Lago.

Ashleigh then went in for an interview and was hired as a server. During her two years there, she also acted as a bartender during 'very big events' and would help with the valet and making reservations.

While she admitted that sometimes her days were overwhelming - during peak season, she'd serve 'upwards of 300 people' - she described the gig as extremely 'lucrative.'

'We made great money,' she shared. 'In peak season, each server could easily go home with around $150 cash, with a select few earning much more from certain members known to be particularly generous.

'Those members would hand out hundreds for caring for them and their families for the day. 

'The largest tip I ever received was $800, and the largest tip I ever saw was $1,200 to another server on Easter Sunday.'

But there was one family who never tipped - the Trumps. Despite their immense fame and wealth, Ashleigh said there was an 'unspoken rule' that when anyone in the family would eat there, they weren't given a check for their food.

She dished on the 'distasteful moments' that she had with 'entitled' customers and the 'unspoken rule' that members of Trump family don't tip servers. Mar-a-Lago is seen

Ashleigh explained that she landed the job after a Mar-a-Lago chef came to eat at a 'small beef and burger joint' she was working at (seen), and 'noticed she was working really hard'

While she admitted that sometimes her days were overwhelming - during peak season, she'd serve 'upwards of 300 people' - she described the gig as extremely 'lucrative'

She shared: 'Members would hand out hundreds for caring for them and their families for the day. 'The largest tip I ever received was $800.' Mar-a-Lago estate is seen

She said that meant none of the Trump family members gave her a tip - except for Donald - but that they showed 'their gratitude in the form of verbal appreciation and respect.'

'It was an unspoken rule that the family did not see their checks, unless Don Jr. was asking because he wanted to see exactly how many push-pops Chloe had that day,' Ashleigh explained.

But there was one family who never tipped - the Trumps. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are seen at Mar-a-Lago with their kids

'Though the Trump family never saw a check, they were very gracious with their gratitude in the form of verbal appreciation and respect.'

Ashleigh said she served 'plenty of meals to the entire Trump family and their friends,' and she described the former President as 'very professional' and 'always smiling, kind, and generous.'

'I didn't deal with him all that much because I started in January 2016, and after he got elected in November it was completely different. He wasn't really allowed to come to The Beach Club anymore as President,' she added. 

'I did spend a lot of time with Eric, Lara, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and their families. They were just lovely people.'

According to Ashleigh, the Trump family was like any other family who visited the club.

'I would see Barron most often kicking his soccer ball around the entire property with his grandmother, Amalija Knavs, may she rest in peace, following close behind,' she recalled.

'Don Jr., Eric, and Don's children frequented The Beach Club for the casual dining experience, enjoying burgers, grilled fish sandwiches, and fries.

She said that meant none of the Trump family members gave her a tip - except for Donald (seen at Mar-a-Lago) - but that they showed 'their gratitude in the form of verbal appreciation'

Donald famously resides in an enormous mansion on the estate, and it's also often the location for his extravagant parties. His New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago is seen

'The children especially loved the self-serve soft serve ice cream and ice box filled with assorted ice creams - Chloe [Don Jr.'s daughter] being a fan of push-pops and Shirley-Temples with extra cherries.'

She added that Ivanka, Jared, and their kids, however, ate 'healthy and kosher.'

She also recalled one time when Don Jr. dove into the water to help a paraglider who had crashed. 

'[The paraglider] lost his board and washed up. We all watched as Don Jr. swam out to get the guy's board and return it to him. He didn't have to do that,' she shared. 

Other celebrities that she met during her time at Mar-a-Lago included Sylvester Stallone, Pitbull, Rod Stewart, Wynonna Judd, and 'lots of local senators and politicians.' 

Mar-a-Lago boasts a spa, numerous restaurants and bars, a golf course, and access to a private beach for its guests.

Donald famously resides in an enormous mansion on the estate, and it's also often the location for his extravagant parties.

Ashleigh said it was 'never a dull moment' at the club - between the star-studded attendees and lavish events they had to run. 

Everything in the kitchen was the 'best of the best' - but that meant there was an 'expectation' to 'keep everything nice and clean.'

Ashleigh revealed that everything in the kitchen was the 'best of the best' - but that meant there was an 'expectation' to 'keep everything nice and clean'

She added that it was 'never a dull moment' at the club - between the star-studded attendees and lavish events they had to run

But she had to endure 'distasteful moments' from 'entitled' customers, including one who tried to 'physically pull her into a hut tub' with him. The pool at Mar-a-Lago is seen

'The best pots and pans, the best cutlery and plates and wine glasses, the best espresso machine - everything was top-notch,' she gushed.

'[But] we were expected to keep everything very nice and clean. We polished every night to maintain the elegance you see portrayed in the images of Mar-a-Lago.'

'But overall, I feel that I learned customer service top to bottom at Mar-a-Lago,' she concluded

While Ashleigh said that there were a lot of upsides to her job, she admitted that there were also some down sides.

'As in any customer service job, you do have some horrible experiences,' she revealed. 

'There were plenty of distasteful moments there, which made me a stronger person. Entitlement was the most prevalent issue.'

She said one customer once tried to 'physically pull her into a hut tub' with him, and she had to tell him, 'Please don't touch me.'

'But overall, I feel that I learned customer service top to bottom at Mar-a-Lago,' she concluded. 

'I was able to establish professional but close relationships with the social elite. It gave me a lot of confidence and professionalism. 

'But most of all: Joy. I have such fond memories of my time at Mar-a-Lago. Everyone was so excited and happy to be there, and we were all so in awe of the place.'

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