On Wednesday morning, the last time as President, President Trump left the White House hours before his successor, President-elect Joe Biden, could take his oath of office at noon.
For the short trip to Joint-base Andrews, Trump left the White House for Marine One, where he would make farewell remarks before boarding Air Force One for a flight to his resort in Florida, Mar-a-Lago.
The commander-in-chief stepped out of the executive mansion, wearing his trademark red tie, holding hands with First Lady Melania Trump, wearing a black dress, wide sunglasses, and shoes.
Trump characterised his presidency as “the honour of a lifetime” after stopping briefly to speak to reporters.
As he boarded Marine One for the last time, he pumped his fist.
He is expected to arrive around 11 a.m. in West Palm Beach. An hour before he finishes his presidency.
Trump said the nationalist movement he generated when he won the presidency in 2016 will continue to live on in a farewell address released via video on Tuesday.
Four years ago, my fellow Americans, we launched a great national effort to rebuild our country, to revive its spirit and to restore this government’s allegiance to its people. In short, we have embarked on a quest to make America great for all Americans once again,’ said Trump.
“Now that I am preparing to hand over power to a new administration at noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we have begun is just beginning,” he said.
In 152 years, Trump will be the first president not to attend his successor’s inauguration.
