Current:Home > NewsDonald Trump’s 78th birthday becomes a show of loyalty for his fans and fellow Republicans -WealthSync Hub
Donald Trump’s 78th birthday becomes a show of loyalty for his fans and fellow Republicans
View
Date:2025-04-16 04:04:03
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — 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 the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
On Friday, Trump will get another birthday celebration, this time with thousands of supporters in his adopted home state.
Members of the “Club 47” fan group will hear from Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida, 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.
Weeks after becoming the first former president to have been convicted of a felony, Trump has tightened his grip of much of his party’s base and elected officials. Next month, he is scheduled to accept his party’s presidential nomination for the third time.
Trump is now three years younger than Democratic President Joe Biden, who is 81.
Trump was in Washington Thursday to meet with House and Senate Republicans in his first visit to Capitol Hill since the riot, which was carried out by Trump supporters seeking to overturn his 2020 loss to Biden. A room of House Republicans sang “Happy Birthday” to Trump and gifted him with a baseball and bat from the annual congressional game.
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.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s complete coverage of this year’s election.
“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.
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. 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.
___
Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.
veryGood! (55)
Related
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Federal Reserve minutes: Too-high inflation, still a threat, could require more rate hikes
- Target says backlash against LGBTQ+ Pride merchandise hurt sales
- Americans are divided along party lines over Trump’s actions in election cases, AP-NORC poll shows
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki receive wild cards for 2023 US Open
- What is a conservatorship? The legal arrangement at the center of Michael Oher's case.
- Former West Virginia coach Bob Huggins enters diversion program after drunken driving arrest
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Man kills his neighbor and shoots her two grandkids before killing himself
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Maui's cultural landmarks burned, but all is not lost
- Horoscopes Today, August 16, 2023
- Ruling deals blow to access to abortion pill mifepristone — but nothing changes yet
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Aaron Judge: 'We're not showing up' as last place Yankees crash to .500 mark
- Israel may uproot ancient Christian mosaic. Where it could go next is sparking an outcry.
- The Blind Side's Quinton Aaron Defends Sandra Bullock From Critics Amid Michael Oher-Tuohy Lawsuit
Recommendation
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
What happens when a narcissist becomes a parent? They force their kids into these roles.
The art of Banksy's secrets
Nearly 80% of Texas' floating border barrier is technically in Mexico, survey finds
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
SWAT member fatally shoots man during standoff at southern Indiana apartment complex
Heat bakes Pacific Northwest and continues in the South, Louisiana declares emergency
NASA moving toward Artemis II liftoff, but program's future remains uncertain