Trump makes first public comments since leaving White House, says 'we'll do something' while dining in Palm Beach
Former President Donald Trump has hinted he may run for office again in 2024 as he broke his silence on Friday, January 22. Trump was spotted playing golf at his Mar-a-Lago club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he flew hours before Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president on Wednesday, January 20. Speaking to the Washington Examiner, Trump responded to a question about his post-presidency plans. "We’ll do something, but not just yet," he told the reporter as he sat at his regular spot at the grill room of the Trump International Golf Club restaurant. An aide entered shortly after and ended the interaction with the reporter. It's worth noting that the former president had not spoken since flying to Florida, especially after he was banned across major social platforms by big tech giants.
Democrats, meanwhile, are going ahead with their impeachment bid. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is slated to deliver the article of impeachment against Trump, per the latest reports. The second impeachment trial against the ex-President — based on an article for "incitement of insurrection" — will commence once the document is sent to the upper chamber. Schumer said on the Senate floor today that Trump's impeachment trial will begin on February 8. "Once the briefs are drafted, presentation by the parties will commence the week of February 8," he said.
The former president is unable to reach out to his base on social media after being purged from every major platform. Twitch banned him "indefinitely" on January 20, joining the likes of Twitter, Shopify and Snapchat who permanently banished the 45th president in light of the Capitol breach earlier this month. Facebook, meanwhile, has referred its "indefinite" ban of Trump to its oversight board to make a final determination. According to the social media giant, its independent board makes binding decisions that cannot be overruled.
Former British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who now serves as Facebook’s vice president of global affairs and communications, announced that the company would be referring the ban to its board. "We believe our decision was necessary and right," the former politician said. "Given its significance, we think it is important for the board to review it and reach an independent judgment on whether it should be upheld." The board said on January 21 that Facebook had also "requested policy recommendations from the Board on suspensions when the user is a political leader."
Democrats have blamed Trump for the breach of the US Capitol on January 6 as lawmakers worked to certify Electoral College results for Joe Biden. House Democrats were joined by ten Republicans in impeaching Trump for allegedly inciting the riot. Trump departed from Washington on January 20, hours before Biden was inaugurated. He first flew to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to speak at a brief farewell ceremony the same day and later flew to Florida on the Air Force One for one last time.