Trump returns to Washington earlier and will not go to his traditional gala in Mar-a-Lago
Miami, Dec 31 (EFE) .- The outgoing president of the United States, Donald Trump, anticipated his return to Washington this Thursday and will not attend tonight the traditional gala that he annually celebrates at his residence and private club in Palm Beach (Florida) , Mar-a-Lago, where attendees paid large amounts to share with the president on New Year's Eve.
Trump and the first lady, Melania, left for the capital in Air Force One in an unexpected change of agenda that will make him miss the annual New Year's party that he has organized in Mar-a-Lago for the last five decades.
He returns to Washington after enjoying the warm temperatures and his usual golf games in Palm Beach since the 23rd, where he spent with his family what was his last Christmas as president.
The celebration of the gala is not without controversy as it will be held in the midst of a pandemic and despite the constant recommendations of the health authorities to avoid mass gatherings at all costs and, if possible, to let the Christmas celebrations pass to avoid the risk of increase infections.
Although the price paid by those attending tonight's party and accompanying Trump on such an important date is unknown, the Palm Beach Post newspaper recalls that tickets have been increasing since Trump won the 2016 elections.
On New Year's Eve of that year, the club members paid $ 525 per person, $ 600 the following year and $ 650 in 2018, a price that was even higher for the guests who accompanied the regulars of Mar-a-Lago.
Local media point out that, despite the departure of Trump and Melania, his children will remain to attend the gala, which they all attended last year.
The Trumps have published messages and photographs on their social networks in recent hours showing the good times lived in South Florida.
This will be the second time that Trump does not attend the gala in recent years, after in 2018 he had to receive the new year in Washington due to the administrative closure of the federal government, although on that occasion Melania was the one who presided over the party.
Airspace restrictions in the Palm Beach region that are always scheduled during Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago were initially planned until January 3, although the president finally chose to return to the capital earlier.
There he is expected to continue with his pressure to try that on January 6, Congress, in a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, does not confirm the results of the presidential elections last November, in which the Democrat won. Joe Biden.
Despite the fact that Biden's triumph was known more than 50 days ago, the Republican has refused to acknowledge his defeat and has filed several lawsuits to disqualify the results, although all of them have been dismissed.
On his way to the Palm Beach airport, Trump was able to see at least this Thursday crowds of his followers who were waiting for the passage of the presidential caravan with American flags and posters in his favor, although there were also some with messages in favor of the Democrat , and one said "Biden won, you lost, get over it."
