Former President Donald Trump celebrated his 77th birthday on Wednesday, but the day was overshadowed by his arraignment at a Miami federal courthouse.
Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 counts, most related to his alleged unlawful storage of national security information at his Florida Mar-A-Largo club. This historic court proceeding marked the first time a former President has faced federal charges. During the arraignment, Trump scowled with his arms crossed at the defense table, and his supporters sang him a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday as he entered the courthouse garage in a blacked-out SUV as part of a vast motorcade.
After the arraignment, Trump visited Miamis iconic Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana, where he was again 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. He later took to his Truth Social platform and added: Thank you Miami. Such a warm welcome on such a SAD DAY for our Country!
This isnt the first time Trump has faced legal turmoil around his birthday. In 2018, New Yorks attorney general office filed a lawsuit against the Trump family charity when Trump turned 72. However, an attorney general spokesperson insisted the filing was a pure coincidence.
The charges against Trump relate to his alleged mishandling of classified White House documents that were recovered at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Federal prosecutors charged Trump with unlawfully keeping hundreds of documents after leaving office, including papers detailing Americas conventional and nuclear weapons programs, potential weak points in U.S. defenses, and plans to respond to a foreign attack. 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.
The indictment against Trump was unsealed hours after the 76-year-old announced he had been charged by Jack Smith, the special counsel tapped in November to examine Trumps retention of official documents at Mar-a-Lago. 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 before the 2016 election.
Trump flew back to his Bedminster, New Jersey, gold club following the arraignment. Its unclear what birthday festivities are planned for Wednesday, but the ex-president isnt into big birthday bashes. Last year, a source told People ahead of his 76th birthday he would likely play golf at Bedminster and have a small low-key dinner at the club with a few family members. He doesnt go all out for his birthday. He is pretty routine so dont look for fireworks, the source told the magazine.
However, Trump wants a blowout celebration for the Country as it inches closer to a significant 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 U.S. celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
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