Fans celebrate Justice Ginsburg’s 86th birthday
WASHINGTON — Wearing workout gear and carrying water bottles, fans of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg celebrated her 86th birthday by exercising in front of the high court.
The court’s oldest justice has become known for her workouts, which include push-ups and planks. The justice has worked out on camera with “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert, and footage of her routine was also part of the 2018 documentary “RBG.” A book about her workout by her longtime trainer came out in 2017.
On Friday evening, fans dropped to the ground on the sidewalk outside the court and sang “Happy Birthday” while doing the plank. Ginsburg’s trainer, Bryant Johnson, led the exercise. He said Ginsburg had worked out Thursday night, and she told him to tell the crowd that for the first time since she underwent surgery for lung cancer in December, she has “been able to do the planks the correct way and the push-ups.”
Ginsburg’s son James joined the crowd. He said the justice’s plans for the evening included dinner out with family.
Ginsburg’s workouts have helped her regain her strength after two previous bouts with cancer — colorectal cancer in 1999 and pancreatic cancer in 2009. She was absent from the court in January as she recovered from her most recent surgery. Doctors have said there is no evidence of any remaining disease.
Jessica Gresko is an Associated Press writer.