###

In a city starkly divided by politics and ideology, four private clubs epitomize the evolving dynamics of Washington's elite. Each club represents a distinct faction, with membership and ethos sharply reflecting their affiliations and values.

Ned's Club, which began welcoming members in February, requires a $5,000 entry fee and boasts a membership profile that includes high-ranking professionals from both political parties, such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The club's objective is to maintain a balanced membership that fosters bipartisan connections.

On the other end of the spectrum, the upcoming Executive Branch club, linked to President Trump and set in Georgetown, comes with an astounding membership fee of up to $500,000. According to David Sacks, President Trump's crypto czar, this club aims to maintain exclusivity by excluding traditional Washington insiders and media representatives.

Older institutions like the Metropolitan Club, founded in 1863, and the Cosmos Club, established in 1878, still exert considerable influence. The Metropolitan Club adheres to its traditional charm with events like "Martini Fridays," while the Cosmos Club celebrates intellectual achievements, displaying photos of its Nobel Prize-winning members including Henry A. Kissinger.

Despite their elite status, these long-standing clubs continue to seek younger members to maintain vibrancy. The Metropolitan Club has an average member age of 60, while the Cosmos Club hosts prestigious speakers like Liz Cheney and Ken Burns.

Ned’s Club and the newly emerging Executive Branch highlight how Washington’s elite are increasingly sorting themselves into like-minded groups. Symone Sanders Townsend of MSNBC, also on the Ned's Club membership committee, values the club for fostering connections among young black professionals and others in the political realm.

The Executive Branch, unlike its stately peers, will operate discreetly within a Georgetown property, fostering an environment free from the prying eyes of the media and unwelcome lobbyists. This subterranean space is expected to open in June and will be overseen by notable Trump affiliates like Jeff Miller and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

With a diverse mix of old and new, these clubs illustrate the ongoing reorganization of Washington’s upper echelons, reflecting broader societal rifts and a yearning for private, ideologically aligned havens amidst a fractious political landscape.