Setting on a gold-colored base, the cake featured separate tiers that included a “Make America Great Again” baseball cap and the Club 47 logo, an American flag, the phrase “Born in the USA on Flag Day,” a depiction of Trump golfing and the Oval Office fitted gold frames common in many Trump properties as well as Trump and Republican logos
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump marked his 78th birthday on Friday by addressing a lively crowd in Florida, repeatedly criticizing his 81-year-old opponent, President Joe Biden, as too frail to manage a second term.
“Our country is being destroyed by incompetent people,” Trump declared, focusing much of his cheerful speech on mocking Biden. “All presidents should have aptitude tests.”
Trump’s birthday event, held at a convention center in West Palm Beach, attracted “Club 47” fan club members and included a grand multi-layered cake. The cake, set on a gold-colored base, featured tiers adorned with a “Make America Great Again” baseball cap, the Club 47 logo, an American flag, the phrase “Born in the USA on Flag Day,” a depiction of Trump golfing, and symbols of Trump and the Republican Party.
Trump Celebrates with Supporters
When Trump took the stage, the audience sang “Happy Birthday” and chanted “USA! USA!” Although the layer cake was just for show, a backstage sheet cake with vanilla icing and a gold hue was served to some campaign staff members.
The event, held in Trump’s adopted home state, sold out 5,000 tickets at approximately $35 each, with closer spots to the stage costing $60, according to Club 47 President Larry Snowden.
“This is the biggest birthday party I’ve ever had by far,” Trump stated, eliciting strong cheers by listing his familiar campaign plans. These included discussing immigration in harsh terms and pledging to reduce regulations, scrap environmental protections to stimulate domestic energy production, and cut taxes.
Despite frequently ridiculing Biden, even claiming that the president often “doesn’t know where the hell he is,” Trump also delivered a seemingly contradictory message to his supporters. He endorsed early voting, mail-in ballots, and voting in person on Election Day, before adding, “I actually tell our people, we don’t need your vote. We’ve got so many votes.”
Republican Support for Trump
Before Trump took the stage, Florida Republicans Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Byron Donalds helped warm up the crowd, praising Trump and his prospects for reclaiming the White House.
This strong show of support for Trump came a day after Republicans in Congress sang “Happy Birthday” and presented him with a cake and gifts during a visit to Capitol Hill. This display of loyalty stood out, given that many of the same lawmakers had distanced themselves from Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Even after becoming the first former president convicted of a felony, Trump has tightened his grip on much of his party’s base and elected officials. He is set to accept the Republican presidential nomination for the third time next month, despite facing sentencing in his hush money case on July 11.
Trump Criticizes Conviction
Trump referenced his conviction on 34 felony counts on Friday, stating, “In the end, they’re not after me. They’re after you and I just happened to be standing in their way.”
Mary Lou and Sue Reardon, attendees from the Villages near Ocala, about 240 miles northwest of West Palm Beach, expressed their support for Trump. Both wore U.S. flag shirts and matching “Birthday” headbands with candles.
“We just feel like he’s our last hope,” said Sue Reardon.
In response, Biden’s campaign marked Trump’s birthday by listing “78 of Trump’s historic… ‘accomplishments,’” highlighting policy proposals such as “cutting Social Security and Medicare,” GOP losses during Trump’s presidency, and his legal issues. Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer added, “On behalf of America, our early gift for your 79th: Making sure you are never President again.”
GOP Unity Behind Trump
There was no sign of GOP disunity during Trump’s Washington visit to meet with House and Senate Republicans on Thursday, his first Capitol Hill visit since the 2021 riot. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who endorsed Trump earlier this year, was among those in attendance.
Club 47, based in Palm Beach County, aims to keep Trump’s local supporters connected and engaged. Trump last spoke to the club in October, shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Local Hispanic activist Lydia Maldonado noted that Friday’s event was unique compared to any rally nationwide with Trump, saying, “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.”
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