Trump to flout tradition on his exit

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will not be greeted at the White House on Wednesday by the outgoing first couple, Donald Trump and Melania Trump, as is the tradition. They will be received instead by the chief usher of the presidential officecum-residential complex.

Jill Biden has also not been given the customary tour of the White House by Melania Trump, in another break from tradition. It usually takes place when the outgoing president hosts his successor for a customary meeting, such as the one President Barack Obama did for Donald Trump, the day after he won the 2016 election.

President Trump, in fact, has not called his successor or congratulated him. He and the first lady will also not attend Biden’s inauguration, in a first such departure from tradition in more than 150 years.

They will leave the White House before noon Wednesday with the lowest approval ratings for an outgoing president and first lady.

Trump presidency’s average approval rating of 41% is the lowest recorded by Gallup, which has tracked American presidents daily for decades. It is four points lower than the previous worst of 45%, scored by President Harry S Truman, a Democrat who served from 1945 to 1953.

Trump also leaves office as the first US president impeached twice: the first time was in December 2019, for pressuring a foreign government to investigate a political rival, Biden. And for the second time a week ago, for trying to prevent

US Congress from certifying the election victory of Biden.

Melania Trump departs the White House with the lowest favourability rating among recent first ladies, according to a CNN poll. At 47%, she is way below Michelle Obama’s 67% at this time in January 2017, and Laura Bush also at 67% around now in 2009, and Hillary Clinton’s 56% in 2001.

“I ask every American to be an ambassador of Be Best,” Melania Trump said in a recorded farewell message Monday, referring to her initiative for children.