No stranger to a showman’s flair, Donald Trump has turned his court appearance into a campaign trip after a post-hearing stop to mingle with members of Miami’s Cuban community.
The former US president was this morning arraigned on 37 felony charges in a historic appearance in the federal court at Miami, Florida.
Through his attorney, he pleaded not guilty, before making a swift exit.
On the way back to the airport, Trump’s motorcade halted in Miami’s “Little Havana”, an area known for its community of Cuban emigre’s.
Trump left his car and met with fans and supporters in a cafe.
He was even presented with a cake and a rousing chorus of “happy birthday” ahead of turning 77 tomorrow.
Former White House staffer Laura Schwartz said the stopover would have of necessity been planned by the Secret Service, in what is called an “off the record” moment.
She said Trump would be aware of the need to keep his support base among Florida voters high amid a challenge for the Republican presidential nomination from the state’s governor Ron DeSantis.
“It’s wonderful optics. He looks resilient, like he’s been described, defiant,” Schwartz told Today.
“This is what he does, thrives on it, loves it. He wants to feel like he is president every day.”
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She said this was the image Trump wanted to project instead of a courtroom photo.
“This is the picture he wants to carry for the next few hours until he speaks at Bedminster tonight,” she said.
Trump joined the crowd in a prayer before the birthday song broke out.
The stopover came after the largely peaceful crowd of protesters and counter-protesters outside the Miami courthouse grew briefly more heated as Trump’s motorcade left.
One man, dressed in a “prisoner” outfit of black and white stripes, appeared to attempt to rush the cars before he was knocked to the ground and arrested.
Trump’s supporters, speaking to 9News’ Alison Piotrowski, also made their feelings known.
”He’s our real president. (Joe Biden) is a fake,” one said.
Trump has consistently claimed that the 2020 presidential election result was rigged – an assertion debunked by dozens of courts.
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