'They look like they're possessed': Miami's Versailles cafe regulars furious after Trump and entourage invasion
June 17, 2023
Despite the rousing welcome Donald Trump received at the popular Versailles Café in Miami's Little Havana following his criminal arraignment earlier in the week, some regulars were not pleased that it was invaded by the former president, his entourage and supporters who sang "Happy Birthday" to him in front of reporters.
According to a follow-up report by the Washington Post's Danielle Paquette, opinions were decidedly split over the twice-indicted ex-president coming into their neighborhood for what became a mini-rally.
Lourdes Fernandez, who grew up in the neighborhood, watched the former president speaking to the crowd on a live stream and was sickened by it.
“I felt my stomach turn," the 51-year-old confessed before adding, "I thought I was going to be sick.”
According to the Post's Paquette, "The scene at the Little Havana landmark where presidential hopefuls are known to shake hands provoked intense reactions from Cuban Americans tracking the spectacle from around the block to thousands of miles away. Some praised Versailles for hosting a politician they saw as 'anti-communist' and wrongly accused. Others pledged to boycott the gathering space they’d long cherished,condemning the enthusiastic reception of someone accused of undermining national security."
Marisel Morales, who served in both Bush administrations expressed her displeasure -- particularly over evidence that he played fast and loose with government secrets hoarded at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
“It’s not as if he was charged with breaking a dish in the White House. He was charged with putting the national security of the United States in danger," the Cuban-American complained before calling the celebration at the popular cafe, " ... an insult to the country that took us in.”
Rick Estrada, who is married to one of the owners, defended the appearance, telling the Post: "Our founder, my father-in-law, was adamant: No matter what their political views are, whoever wants to come, they’ve always been welcome to come. It’s a meeting house for open ideas, and the First Amendment is something we hold dear.”
As for Fernandez, she claims she may never return.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back there again,” she stated. “Trump is not just a regular politician, in my opinion. He’s a criminal.”
She later added, "It was all for show and it was a betrayal. He claims to be anti-communist but in every other way, he’s a wannabe dictator.”
Caroline Camps of the non-partisan Cuban American Women Supporting Democracy group was also appalled by Trump's supporters.
"They look like they’re possessed. We’ve seen these ‘rallies’ before. Fidel did it," she explained.
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