Former President Trump celebrated his 78th birthday at a packed Palm Beach Convention Center, where he continued his attacks on President Biden’s immigration and foreign policy. Trump claimed that under his leadership, there were no wars, contrasting himself with Biden, whom he described as a “globalist warmonger.” He also highlighted the recent arrests of eight Tajik nationals accused of having links to ISIS, who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without proper documents.
The birthday bash was hosted by Club 47, a Palm Beach-based Trump fan club, and tickets sold out days in advance. Before his speech, Trump was presented with a cake decorated with images of himself and topped with a red MAGA hat. Republican Senator Marco Rubio also attended the event and delivered a speech attacking Biden’s handling of the border. Rubio, who has been rumored as a possible running mate for Trump, defended controversial comments by Trump about immigrants “poisoning the blood of our country.”
In the wake of Trump’s recent guilty verdict in his Manhattan criminal trial, the event at the convention center was a display of loyalty from Florida supporters and congressional allies. This was Rubio’s first appearance on the 2024 campaign trail alongside Trump, and it came shortly after Trump issued an executive order to make it easier to deport migrants without processing their asylum claims. Despite legal barriers due to both residing in Florida, there is speculation that Rubio could be chosen as Trump’s running mate in the upcoming election.
Concerns about the ages of both Trump and Biden persist among voters, with Trump becoming the oldest person elected to the presidency in 2016 at age 70. Biden surpassed this record when he was inaugurated in 2021 at the age of 78. If re-elected, Trump would surpass Biden as the oldest person inaugurated as president, while Biden would be 86 by the end of a potential second term. Recent polling suggests that Trump holds an edge over Biden in terms of voters’ perceptions of cognitive ability, with half of voters believing Trump is competent compared to only a third for Biden.
Overall, the birthday celebration for Trump in West Palm Beach showcased his continued popularity among supporters and allies, as well as his focus on key issues such as immigration and foreign policy. The event also highlighted the potential for a Trump-Rubio ticket in the upcoming election, despite legal obstacles related to both candidates residing in Florida. Amid ongoing concerns about the ages of Trump and Biden, voters’ perceptions of cognitive abilities may play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election.
