Watch: Donald Trump fans sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to ex-president after not guilty plea
Happy Birthday Mr. President #HappyBirthdayMr.President
Supporters sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to President Trump
Click to expand
UP NEXT
Supporters of former president Donald Trump sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him shortly after he appeared in a federal court charged over classified documents that were found at his Florida home.
A video showed Mr Trump stopping at a Cuban restaurant in Miami, right after becoming the first president – current or former – to be charged with a federal crime.
The 45th POTUS visited Versailles restaurant last night ahead of marking his 77th birthday today – and blasted the charges against him as he greeted fans, who sang for him.
For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here.
Mr Trump said: “Some birthday. We got a government that’s out of control.” Later at the restaurant, Mr Trump shouted: “Food for everyone!”
Mr Trump was fingerprinted and charged with 37 crimes in a Miami federal court yesterday. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which relate to documents stored at his Mar-a-Lago estate after he left the White House.
Fans gathered in Miami to support the former president, with rally-style merch even being sold. People sold T-shirts with a mock Trump mugshot and the words ‘NOT GUILTY’ on them, with others hawking hats.
Some waved Trump 2024 flags to support the New York native’s bid for a second stint in the White House.
And the circus also drew Trump detractors, with one dressed in black-and-white prison stripes holding up a sign reading ‘LOCK HIM UP’.
Mr Trump has denied the 37 counts of illegally retaining classified documents and obstructing the US government’s efforts to get them back, formally entering a not-guilty plea.
Mr Trump then flew aboard his private jet to New Jersey, where his supporters welcomed him at his golf club in scenes reminiscent of the Trump rallies that marked his presidency.
There, he made a speech to address the criminal charges, which was aired on Fox News. It was rife with unsubstantiated claims about President Joe Biden and Mr Trump’s former rival Hillary Clinton.
He struck a defiant tone, telling the crowd he had “every right” to retain the documents after his presidency, saying the boxes contained memorabilia and he “hadn’t had a chance to go through all the boxes”.
The former president said: “It’s a long tedious job. Takes a long time, which I was prepared to do, but I have a very busy life.
“I’ve had a very busy life. They make it more busy, because you’re always fighting…
“These boxes were containing all types of personal belongings. Many, many things. Shirts and shoes and everything.”
Mr Trump is leading the Republican field for the 2024 presidential nomination – keeping his lead despite these and other legal troubles relating to his professional and personal life.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here.