Donald Trump’s 78th birthday becomes a show of loyalty for his fans and fellow Republicans

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Donald Trump spent the day before his 78th birthday being celebrated 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 rejected by many of the same lawmakers following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

On Friday, Trump will have another birthday celebration, this time with thousands of supporters in his adopted home state.

Members of the “47 Club” fan group will listen to Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida, a short drive from his Mar-a-Lago residence. The event sold out 5,000 tickets at about $35 each, with seats closer to the stage costing $60, according to Club 47 president Larry Snowden.

Weeks after becoming the first former president to be convicted of a crime, Trump tightened his control over much of his party’s base and elected officials. Next month, he is expected 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 years old.

Trump was in Washington on Thursday to meet with House and Senate Republicans in his first visit to the Capitol 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 presented him with a baseball and bat from the annual congressional game.

Later, the senators presented a cake with the American flag with 45 candles, noting that Trump was the 45th president. Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming added two more candles with the numbers 4 and 7.

“We are all committed to ensuring that he becomes the 47th president,” Barrasso told reporters later, adding, “While he was sitting there, I took them off and put them on. at the end when you heard it.

Among the senators who attended the meeting was Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who supported Trump earlier this year. despite not having spoken since 2020. Barrasso told reporters that Trump and McConnell talked and exchanged punches.

Snowden, president of the 47 Club, and others said they expect Trump to talk about the New York verdict as part of his regular campaign messaging. Trump will be sentenced on July 11.

“Our people are eager to hear an expression of your commitment to move forward. I know he is committed to continuing to move forward, regardless of what the left wing of our country offers him,” Snowden said.

Club 47 is based in Palm Beach County and states on its website that the club’s goal is to keep Trump 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 frequently attends events at Club 47 and is surrounded by crowds adorned in U.S. flag T-shirts, Trump 2024 gear and U.S.-themed costumes.

Maldonado said this event is unique compared to any national rally or event featuring the former president. Maldonado said she is excited to be at an event for Trump’s birthday, but also thinks Trump feels comfortable and familiar with this crowd since it’s his hometown.

“The purpose of this event is basically to let him know how much the community here loves him and how much the community supports him,” Maldonado said.

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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.