Trump fans sing 'Happy Birthday' at historic arraignment

May 2024 · 4 minute read

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It’ll take a lot to trump this birthday gift.

Before the cake and the candles were brought out for former President Trump’s 77th birthday Wednesday, he appeared at a Miami federal courthouse where he was taken into custody and pleaded not guilty to 37 counts in a historic arraignment.

Most of the charges are tied to his alleged unlawful storing of national security information at his Florida Mar-A-Largo club.

Trump didn’t seem to be having much fun Tuesday during his brief arraignment before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman in a federal courthouse, as he scowled with his arms crossed at the defense table during the hearing.

Before the historic court proceeding – the first of its kind for a former president – some of his most ardent supporters sang him a hearty rendition of “Happy Birthday” as he entered the courthouse garage in a blacked-out SUV as part of a huge motorcade.

Later, when he stopped by Miami’s iconic Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana following the arraignment, he again was serenaded with the “Happy Birthday” song while others took photos of the Republican firebrand.

“Some birthday,” Trump said, according to footage from the Associated Press. “Some birthday.”

Former President Donald Trump smiles at the cameras as he visits Versailles restaurant on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. AP

Former President Donald Trump visited Miami’s iconic Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana after pleading not guilty to federal charges alleging he hoarded classified documents.

The crowd serenaded him with the “Happy Birthday” song, one day before his 77th birthday. pic.twitter.com/xxZnrnv8DL

— The Associated Press (@AP) June 13, 2023

“We’ve got a government that’s out of control,” Trump added, before taking to his Truth Social platform and adding: “Thank you Miami. Such a warm welcome on such a SAD DAY for our Country!”

This isn’t the first time Trump faced legal turmoil around his big day.

New York’s attorney general office filed a lawsuit against the Trump family charity the same day Trump turned 72 in 2018.

Trump was sung the “Happy Birthday” song during his visit. Getty Images

But an attorney general spokesperson insisted at the time the filing was a “pure coincidence.”

Trump flew back to his Bedminster, New Jersey, gold club following the arraignment. It’s unclear what birthday festivities are planned for Wednesday, but the ex-president apparently isn’t into big birthday bashes.

Here's what to know about former President Donald Trump's federal indictment

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to mishandling classified White House documents that were recovered at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Trump unlawfully kept hundreds of documents after leaving office — including papers detailing America’s conventional and nuclear weapons programs, potential weak points in US defenses, and plans to respond to a foreign attack, federal prosecutors charged Friday.

The 45th president stored boxes containing the documents throughout his estate, including “a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, an office space, his bedroom, and a storage room,” according to a 49-page indictment filed in Miami federal court Thursday.

Follow The Post’s coverage of former President Trump’s federal indictment

The indictment against Trump was unsealed hours after the 77-year-old announced he had been charged by Jack Smith, the special counsel tapped in November to examine Trump’s retention of official documents at Mar-a-Lago.

The indictment is the former commander-in-chief’s second since leaving office and marks the first time in US history a former president has faced federal charges.

In April, Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg related to hush-money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election. 

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Last year, a source told People ahead of his 76 birthday he would likely play golf at Bedminster and have a “small low-key dinner” at the club with a few family members.

“He doesn’t go all out for his birthday. He is pretty routine so don’t look for fireworks,” the source told the magazine.

Trump meets supporters following his arraignment. AP

However, Trump wants a blowout celebration for the country as it inches closer to a major milestone.

If he wins the White House again in 2024, Trump explained in a video on Truth Social that he would prepare the nation for “the most spectacular birthday party” when the US celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.

With Post wires

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