Bitter Don slinks off but warns: I’ll be back
DONALD Trump left the White House for the final time yesterday with a smile, but warned America had not seen the last of him.
The embittered former President shattered norms on his way out with a campaign-style send-off and a snubbing of Joe Biden’s inauguration.
While he wished the new administration ‘great luck and great success’ – without mentioning Mr Biden by name – he told a small crowd of supporters: ‘I will be watching, I will be listening’ in a thinly veiled threat to his enemies.
Amid reports he plans to turn his back on the Republicans and start his own political party called the Patriot Party, Mr Trump said he hoped ‘it’s not a long-term goodbye’.
He told a crowd of around 200 at the Andrews air base: ‘So just a goodbye. We love you. We will be back in some form. Have a good life. We will see you soon.’
As he waved goodbye to his presidency from the steps of Air Force One, bound for his private golf club in Florida, My Way by Frank Sinatra blared out of speakers next to the runway, the song that played at Mr Trump’s inauguration ball four years ago.
The tiny, unmasked, audience was a rebuke to Mr Trump and a sign of how toxic he had become after two impeachments and his incitement of the Capitol riot.
He stoked political divisions and failed to confront the coronavirus pandemic which has killed more than 400,000 Americans.
Shortly after 8am he and First Lady Melania walked out of the White House on to the South Lawn. Mr Trump said it had been ‘the honour of a lifetime’ to lead his nation and told journalists: ‘I just want to say goodbye but hopefully it’s not a long-term goodbye.’
The early hour was forced upon him as he wanted to make use of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, Air Force One and the presidential motorcade a last time before Mr Biden was sworn in at noon.
Mr and Mrs Trump held hands as they boarded Marine One and the now former President pumped his fist a few times before the aircraft took off, taking in a quick pass over Washington. His deparand ture was in stark contrast to the customary handover of power – and he became the first President in 152 years not to attend his successor’s inauguration.
Mr Trump reportedly wanted a large crowd at Joint Base Andrews had sent out desperate emails to former associates.
Instead he was shunned and even former Vice-President Mike Pence was not among the guests as he attended Mr Biden’s inauguration.
Four US Army cannon fired a 21gun salute as Mr Trump walked to the stage while a military band played Hail to the Chief.
The crowd chanted: ‘We love you Trump!’ while his sons, Eric and Don Jr, and a tearful daughter Ivanka cheered him on.
Mr Trump told them: ‘I will always fight for you. I will be watching, I will be listening and I will tell you that the future of this country has never been better.’
Mr Trump ran through his list of achievements in office, such as protecting healthcare for veterans, but
‘I will be watching, I will be listening’
got his words muddled as he warned the economy could now ‘really skyrocket downward’.
On his final flight aboard Air Force One Mr Trump snacked on commemorative boxes of M&Ms with his signature and the presidential seal on them.
The aircraft landed in Palm Beach, Florida, and the Trump family were driven to Mar-aLago, his private estate. Melania changed on the flight from a funereal black outfit into a bright Gucci kaftan.
Mr Trump has made few concrete comments about his plans but the Wall Street Journal reported he is considering founding the Patriot Party after falling out with leading Republicans.
One of the few traditions he did respect was leaving a note in the Oval Office desk for Mr Biden, although the White House refused to disclose the contents.
Mrs Trump left a ‘short note of welcome’ for First Lady Jill Biden. But she did not write her own customary ‘thank you’ notes to 80 White House staff, instead farming out the task to staff.
Friends say she is ‘not sad to be leaving Washington’.