TikTok Lobbyist Purchases $17M Palm Beach Estate

Former Trump administration official Tony Sayegh has acquired a $17.1 million estate at 150 Kings Road in Palm Beach's Mar-a-Lago Security Zone, according to property records. The purchase price translates to $2,506 per square foot for the 6,800-square-foot residence.

Sayegh and his wife Maria purchased the property from hedge fund manager Peter Gerhard and his wife Kristen Gerhard. The sellers had originally bought the 0.3-acre lot for $2.3 million in 2013 and constructed the current home in 2017. They initially listed the property for $19.5 million a year ago before settling on the lower sale price.

The five-bedroom, six-bathroom residence includes amenities such as a gymnasium and swimming pool. Compass agents Kristen Gerhard and Andrew Roopchand from the Chad Carroll Group represented the sellers, while Casey Flannery of Equestrian Sotheby's International Realty handled the buyer's side.

Sayegh gained prominence as assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and later as a White House senior advisor during Trump's first presidency. His influence earned him the nickname "Trump whisperer" for his role in TikTok-related policy discussions.

Following his government service, Sayegh joined Susquehanna International Group as head of public affairs. The firm holds significant investments in ByteDance, TikTok's parent company. When legislative efforts to ban TikTok gained momentum under both Trump and Biden administrations, the social media platform assembled a lobbying team in 2023 to influence then-candidate Trump's position.

Sayegh's advocacy efforts proved successful, ultimately contributing to Trump joining the TikTok platform and issuing an executive order in January 2025 to block the proposed ban. The seller, Peter Gerhard, previously served as a Goldman Sachs partner before establishing hedge fund G Capital Management.

This transaction continues a pattern of luxury real estate activity in the Mar-a-Lago Security Zone following Trump's 2024 re-election victory. Property sales in the Secret Service-protected neighborhood have totaled $118.3 million during the early months of Trump's second term. Notable recent purchases include financier Mark Marcello's $36 million mansion acquisition in March and real estate investor Robert Miller's $25 million home purchase in February.

The Mar-a-Lago Security Zone has become increasingly attractive to high-net-worth individuals seeking proximity to the presidential residence and private club. The exclusive enclave's appeal stems from its enhanced security measures and prestigious location within Palm Beach's luxury real estate market.