Angry protesters at a far-right rally in support of Donald Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud swarmed around the US president’s SUV as he drove past last night.
Flag-carrying fans chanting “Stop the steal” and “We are the champions” gathered at Washington DC’s Freedom Plaza, close to the White House, planning to head to the US Supreme Court building.
Organisers and right-wing media figures, along with White House officials, had predicted a turnout of a million people.
But last night, reports put the attendance at just several thousand.
Mr Trump waved at them as he was driven off to his Virginia golf club for the 282nd round of his presidency.
Some fans squealed with excitement and others took photos.
Members of far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were there.
A counterprotest dubbed “F*** MAGA” by All Out DC was also scheduled and at least one clash between opposing groups was reported in Washington.
It came the day after Republican Mr Trump appeared to come closer than ever to admitting defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election.
On Friday, he called the electoral college result in Arizona “a very close loss” before telling reporters at a Covid-19 vaccine briefing – in his first public comments since election day – that “time will tell” if his regime is at an end.
As he spoke, some wondered if the election loss had taken its toll on his bright, blonde hair.
“Is it me or has Trump’s hair gone from blond to grey this week?” a Twitter user asked after watching the address.
“Sad”.
