Trump faithfuls Roger Stone and Mike Lindell were at his 2024 announcement, but very few members of Congress made an appearance

Hannah GetahunNov 16, 2022, 11:53 IST

Business Insider

U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-SC) behind former First Lady Melania Trump as the former president announces that he will once again run for U.S. president during an event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. November 15, 2022.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Friends and family close to former President Donald Trump were present for his 2024 announcement.
Notably, many members of Congress were not in attendance.

Former President Donald Trump officially announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race at his Palm Beach, Florida, home on Tuesday among friends, family, and ardent supporters.

Noticeably absent, however, were GOP lawmakers. Only one, Rep. Madison Cawthorn, was spotted by Insider reporter Kimberly Leonard in the Mar-a-Lago Grand Ballroom.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was set to attend, but could not make it due to a scheduling conflict. Some lawmakers, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, congratulated Trump online.

Also absent were three of Trump's children, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Tiffany Trump. Following the announcement, Ivanka Trump, in a statement to ABC, said that she no longer plans to be involved in politics.

Trump loyalists in attendance included his former adviser Roger Stone and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's longtime political advisor and friend Roger Stone talks with attendees as they wait for Trump to announce that he will once again run for U.S. president in the 2024 U.S. presidential election during an event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. November 15, 2022.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell speaks to reporters in a ballroom at former U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate where he says he will make a "big announcement," possibly regarding his political future, later tonight in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. November 15, 2022.Jonathan Ernst/ Reuters

Notable Trump supporters in attendance included Russell Vought, former deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget during the Trump presidency, Trump's former campaign adviser Jason Miller, and former White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley.

Also in attendance were Trump family members Barron Trump, Eric Trump and his wife Lara, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who were all seen walking into the event together.

Eric Trump, Lara Trump, Jared Kushner, and Barron Trump enter Mar-a-Lago where Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign on November 15, 2022.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Trump's wife, Melania, also joined the former president on stage following the end of his hour-long speech announcing his candidacy.

Former U.S. first lady Melania Trump and former U.S. President Donald Trump stand onstage together after Trump announced that he would once again run for U.S. president in the 2024 U.S. presidential election during an event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. November 15, 2022.Jonathan Ernst/ Reuters

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Trump faithfuls Roger Stone and Mike Lindell were at his 2024 announcement, but very few members of Congress made an appearance