(Headline USA) Donald Trump spent the day before his 78th birthday being feted by Republicans in Congress who sang “Happy Birthday” and presented him with a cake and gifts.
It was a remarkable show of loyalty for a former president who was shunned by many of the same lawmakers after Jan. 6, 2021—a point that his longtime ex-nemesis Nancy Pelosi was quick to make.
BREAKING: Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) spits fire, rushes to MSNBC to attack Donald Trump for visiting a neighborhood near 'the crime scene' of the US Capitol after 'inciting an insurrection,' tells @Lawrence O'Donnell that Republicans have become a 'cult to a thug,' says Trump… pic.twitter.com/DKsX4i1CAa
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) June 14, 2024
On Friday, Trump will get another birthday celebration, this time with thousands of supporters in his adopted home state of Florida.
Members of the “Club 47” fan group will hear from Trump in West Palm Beach, a short drive from his Mar-a-Lago residence.
The event sold out of 5,000 tickets at about $35 apiece, with closer spots to the stage costing $60, according to Club 47 President Larry Snowden.
Tomorrow Is Donald Trumps Birthday #MAGAPARTY pic.twitter.com/rNiWWYbSQn
— Trumps Nephew (@ForgiatoBlow47) June 13, 2024
Weeks after his felony convictions on highly dubious charges that have only resulted in supporters rallying around him to fight the corrupt two-tiered justice system Trump sees his support in the party, which has often been a bumpy ride, back in peak form.
Scores of supporters flooded social media with well wishes on Friday to mark the occasion of his birthday—including Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. and mother to five of Trump’s grandchildren.
It was a fitting symbol of the Trump magnetism—even those who appear to leave its orbit find themselves not only drawn back into it but able to put aside any personal differences to embrace the fact that Trump represents something much bigger than the individual.
Happy birthday to the best grandpa @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/pIMVQsTuJu
— Vanessa Trump (@MrsVanessaTrump) June 14, 2024
Trump’s promise is that of a legacy even greater than himself, conveying a sort of optimism that stands in stark contrast to the dark, cynical scaremongering of 81-year-old President Joe Biden, whose central campaign message is that failing to re-elect him will be the end of democracy.
That may help explain why Trump has resonated in particular this election season with minorities and younger voters, key Democrat constituencies whose defection could prove pivotal in the race.
Next month, Trump is scheduled to accept his party’s presidential nomination for the third time.
Trump was in Washington Thursday to meet with House and Senate Republicans in his first visit to Capitol Hill since the Jan. 6 uprising. A room of House Republicans sang “Happy Birthday” to Trump and gifted him with a baseball and bat from the annual congressional game the night prior.
Trump hinted that his pick for vice president was “probably” in the room after having last week revealed a list of eight individuals whom he was vetting that included two House members and three senators.
NEW: Donald Trump sends vetting paperwork to the following potential VP candidates:
• Florida Sen. @marcorubio
• Ohio Sen. @JDVance1
• S.C. @SenatorTimScott
• N.D. @GovDougBurgum
• Florida Rep. @ByronDonalds
• New York Rep. @EliseStefanik
• Doctor @RealBenCarson… pic.twitter.com/oM3pxIY7IX— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) June 6, 2024
Senators later presented an American flag cake with 45 candles, referencing that Trump was the 45th president. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming then added two more candles with the numerals 4 and 7.
“We’re all committed to make sure he becomes the 47th president,” Barrasso told reporters later, adding: “As he was sitting there, I pull them out, put them on. He loved it. And that was the last big applause at the end when you heard that.”
Among the senators who attended the gathering was Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who endorsed Trump earlier this year despite not having spoken since 2020. Barrasso told reporters that Trump and McConnell spoke and exchanged a fist bump.
Donald Trump made a triumphant return to Capitol Hill on Thursday, his first with lawmakers since the Jan.6, 2021 attacks, embraced by energized House and Senate Republicans who find themselves reinvigorated by his bid to retake the White House. pic.twitter.com/UqSA7hnz1J
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 13, 2024
Snowden, Club 47’s president, and others said they expect Trump to talk about the verdict in New York as part of his regular campaign message, although he remains under a gag order imposed by judge Juan Merchan that prohibits him from addressing certain topics. Trump will be sentenced July 11.
“Our people are anxious to hear his expression of his commitment to move ahead. I know that he is committed to continue to move ahead no matter what the left-wing side of our country throws at him,” Snowden said.
Club 47 is based in Palm Beach County and says on its website that the club’s goal is to keep Trump’s supporters “in our area connected and engaged.” Trump most recently spoke to the club in October, days after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Lydia Maldonado, a local Hispanic activist who plans to attend Friday, said she’s frequently attended events at Club 47 and been surrounded by a crowd adorned in U.S. flag shirts, Trump 2024 gear and U.S.-themed costumes.
Maldonado said this event is unique compared to any rally or event nationwide with the former president. Maldonado said she’s excited to be at an event for Trump’s birthday, but she also thinks Trump feels comfortable and familiar with this crowd since it’s his hometown.
“The purpose of having this event is pretty much to let him know how much the community here loves him and how much the community supports him,” Maldonado said.
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
