Trump waves as supporters flood streets outside his Florida golf course and chant 'we love you'

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: President Donald Trump made a brief but visible appearance Saturday as his presidential motorcade departed Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, drawing cheers from supporters gathered outside the gates.

Video posted on X by journalist Eric Daugherty shows a line of black SUVs and a limousine flying the American flag exiting the golf course and turning onto a palm-lined road decorated for the holidays. Trump was seated in the back of the armored limousine known as The Beast as he waved to supporters who chanted, “We love you!” 

The appearance came ahead of international talks planned for the following day.

Trump's Zelensky meeting and holiday stay in Florida

The show of support preceded Trump’s scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, set to take place Sunday in Florida. According to statements from both leaders, the talks are aimed at advancing a peace plan for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump spent Christmas at their Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. The President arrived in Palm Beach on December 20, flying in aboard Air Force One after holding a rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Melania did not appear to be traveling with him at the time.

The following day, December 21, Trump played golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.

Golf, announcements, and holiday outreach

Between rounds of golf, Trump made several announcements and appearances. He revealed plans for a new “Trump-class” of ships and placed calls to US service members stationed around the world to wish them a merry Christmas.

Trump also took part in a holiday tradition connecting with children across the country, speaking with them as Santa Claus’ journey from the North Pole was tracked in real time.

On Christmas Eve, Trump and Melania Trump personally called service members, thanking them for their “extraordinary devotion and service to America.” During the calls, Trump bragged about his $1,776 “warrior dividend” bonus checks sent to military members ahead of Christmas.

The holiday outreach continued with calls from children while monitoring Santa’s progress using the NORAD Santa Tracker. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, which tracks aircraft flying over North America, marked its 70th year of playfully tracking Santa Claus’ sleigh across the skies.

The President and First Lady answered questions from children across the US, fielding inquiries about Santa’s movements, presents, and even his cookie preferences.

During one call, an eight-year-old girl from Kansas told Trump she hoped Santa wouldn’t bring her coal. Trump quipped, “You mean clean, beautiful coal?”

He told reporters later, “I had to do that, I’m sorry.”

Christmas Eve at Mar-a-Lago

The day concluded with a Christmas Eve dinner held in Mar-a-Lago’s ornate Grand Ballroom. 

This comes as Trump reportedly moved gold angel statues from the ceiling of Mar-a-Lago’s Grand Ballroom to the doorways of the Oval Office, which he has redecorated to more closely resemble the gold-covered walls of his Palm Beach estate.

During the dinner, Trump sat with Melania Trump and her father at a table set apart by velvet ropes. 

Later that night, Trump shared a snarky holiday message on Truth Social.

“Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly,” he wrote.