Man arrested at Mar-a-Lago came to ‘spread gospel,’ marry Kai Trump

Texas man arrested after breaching Mar-a-Lago fence, saying he aimed to marry Trump’s granddaughter and share a religious message. — Image credit: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office/ & AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

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Summary

Fence breach

A Texas man was arrested after scaling a fence at Mar-a-Lago early Tuesday. He allegedly said he wanted to “spread the gospel” and marry Trump’s granddaughter.

Repeat offender

Anthony Reyes had previously been warned for trespassing at the estate in December 2024. He now faces elevated charges and a $50,000 bond.

Security concerns

The arrest follows a 2024 suspected assassination attempt by Ryan Routh, who hid with a rifle near Trump’s golf course for 12 hours undetected.

Full story

A Texas man was arrested early Tuesday, June 3, after scaling a fence at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. According to authorities, he told them he hoped to “spread the gospel” and marry Trump’s teenage granddaughter.

According to the U.S. Secret Service, the man triggered alarms shortly after midnight when he unlawfully entered the property in Palm Beach, Florida. Agents detained the suspect without incident before turning him over to Palm Beach police, who charged him with trespassing.

The man was identified as 23-year-old Anthony Thomas Reyes. According to the arrest report, Reyes allegedly told officers he intended to share a religious message with Trump and marry Kai Madison Trump, the 18-year-old daughter of Donald Trump Jr.

Was Trump present during the incident?

No. The Secret Service confirmed that President Trump was in Washington, D.C. at the time of the breach, and no protectees were on-site during the incident.

Has Reyes been arrested before?

Unbiased. Straight Facts.^TM

Police had previously warned Reyes for trespassing at Mar-a-Lago on New Year’s Eve, 2024, while Trump was at the property.

Yes. Reyes was previously issued a trespassing warning after attempting to access the Mar-a-Lago property on New Year’s Eve in 2024, when Trump was reportedly on the premises. Reyes wasn’t charged at the time.

What are the broader security concerns?

Tuesday’s incident is the latest in a string of security breaches involving Trump-owned properties. In September 2024, authorities arrested Ryan Wesley Routh after he spent 12 hours undetected outside Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, aiming a rifle from a tree line. Routh was charged with attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.

The Secret Service has faced increased scrutiny over its security protocols following that incident and other recent attempts to approach Trump or members of his family.

What happens next?

Following his arrest, Reyes was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail, where his bond was initially set at $1,000 but later raised to $50,000. A judge also ordered him to have no contact with Trump, his family or any Trump-owned property. Reyes has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor trespassing charge.

Jonah Applegarth (Production Specialist), Devan Markham (Morning Digital Producer), Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor), and Matt Bishop (Digital Producer) contributed to this report.

Tags: Donald Trump, Florida, Mar-a-Lago, United States Secret Service

Why this story matters

An individual was arrested for trespassing at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate and stating his intent to marry a member of the Trump family, raising concerns about the security of high-profile political figures and their properties.

Security breaches

The incident highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining security around properties owned by public figures.

Law enforcement response

The prompt detection and arrest by the U.S. Secret Service and Palm Beach police underline the seriousness with which authorities treat unauthorized access to protected locations.

Public scrutiny of protection protocols

Recent incidents at Trump properties have increased scrutiny on the Secret Service and other agencies responsible for safeguarding senior politicians and their families.

Sources

Bias comparison

Left Left-leaning outlets frame the Mar-a-Lago trespassing incident as a troubling security breach revealing ongoing vulnerabilities, emphasizing repeated “breaches” and detailed judicial restrictions like bans on Reyes contacting the Trump family, thus highlighting public safety concerns with a sober, cautionary tone.
Center Left and right outlets largely agree on Mar-a-Lago’s federally protected status and the need for enhanced security protocols following a suspected assassination attempt.
Right In contrast, right-leaning coverage spotlights the episode as an “unusual incident” marked by bizarre motives — phrases like “maniac busted” and emphasis on “spreading the gospel” underscore a blend of sensationalism and protective family values, portraying Trump and his kin as potential victims under “expanded security.”

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Media landscape

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54 total sources

Key points from the Left

A Texas man named Anthony Thomas Reyes, 23, was arrested for jumping over a wall at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club on June 3.
Reyes stated he wanted to 'spread the gospel' and marry Kai Madison Trump, who is 18 years old.
He faces a misdemeanor trespassing charge and is being held on a $50,000 bond after pleading not guilty. Judge Daliah Weiss ordered him to have no contact with President Trump or any members of his family.

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Key points from the Center

Anthony Thomas Reyes, a 23-year-old man from Texas, was arrested early Tuesday after jumping the wall at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. He told Secret Service agents that he climbed the wall with the intention of spreading the gospel to President Trump and marrying his 18-year-old granddaughter, Kai Trump.
Reyes trespassed onto the property despite Mar-a-Lago not accepting visitors and the area being federally protected with strict security measures. This marks at least the second trespassing incident by Reyes at Mar-a-Lago since December 2024, highlighting ongoing security challenges at the site.
Reyes faces one misdemeanor trespassing charge, is held on a $50,000 bond, and must avoid contact with Trump and his family per court orders.

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Key points from the Right

Anthony Reyes, 23, was arrested for trespassing at Mar-a-Lago. He expressed a desire to discuss religion with Donald Trump and to propose to Kai Trump, who is 18 years old.
Reyes had previously trespassed on Mar-a-Lago in December 2024 and was charged with misdemeanor trespassing following his latest incident.
Reyes remains in Palm Beach County Jail on a $50,000 bond after pleading not guilty in court.

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