Bitter Trump 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 departure 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 and 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’.
Who’d have thought Lady Gaga would not only behave but steal the show! She left the meat dress and the ridiculous platforms at home and gave the world not only a noteperfect rendition of the National Anthem, but a couture outfit that spoke absolute volumes.
Peace! her dove brooch was so big it could be seen from outer space, never mind China.
Non-isolationism and trade deals! her show-stopping gown was the creation of a French fashion house, Maison Schiaparelli (even if its designer, daniel Roseberry, is American).
her tailored navy bodice meant America is all about business. And as for the voluminous red faille skirt that threatened to transport her, Mary Poppins fashion, into the clouds at any moment? Well, it was just joyous. It spelt hope. dear Lord, she wasn’t even wearing a mask, so we could appreciate her matching pillar-box mouth.
I know she was singing, but if anything yesterday marked the end of a dour, depressing era, it was the red flag of the tiny American pop star.
other than La Gaga and Jennifer Lopez — who wore flowing white trousers and a bejewelled belt to remind us that America not only gave us Mcdonald’s but also Elvis — what we saw from the White house women yesterday was a rainbow of warm, cinched princess coats from creamy dreamy American royalty.
on this occasion, there were no hats: with all the masks, we would never have known who was who.
Kamala harris did not disappoint in a £4,000 purple coat with matching dress by black American designers Christopher John Rogers and Sergio hudson. I loved its low cut, perfect for an ample bust, and wide shoulders, which narrowed her waist.
ShE accessorised her look with a stars-and-stripes flag brooch by American jewellery designer david Yurman and signature pearls by Puerto Rican jeweller Wilfredo Rosado.
There was nothing frivolous about her choices: boy, she wasn’t even carrying a handbag, indicating she’s gonna grasp her job with both hands.
Jill Biden’s coat-and-dress combo — everyone was channelling Nicole Kidman in The Undoing, even down to the warm gloves — was a standout, shot through with crystals, which made her twinkle warmly at every turn.
her designer of choice was Alexandra o’Neill of the U.S. luxury label Markarian (no, me neither) and is thought to have cost around the £3,000 mark. What I loved about it was the sheer panel at the throat, terrific for a woman in her 60s.
Both she and Kamala got the lengths just right: no exposed knees while sitting for the speeches.
It was all very respectful and tasteful, not least from Michelle obama, the former First Lady not just of the U.S. but of fashion, who chose to wear beneath her cashmere coat a sweater and trousers, again by Sergio hudson. The look showed she can relax, now a democrat is back in the White house.
Last, but never least, came Melania Trump. her exit from Washington had all the drama of dynasty. off she teetered on her £600 Louboutin trotters (and my goodness, that woman wears heels better than anyone on the planet) in head-to-toe black.
She chose dolce & Gabbana va va voom that shouted: ‘I’m off for La dolce Vita.’ A £5,000 Chanel jacket with statement asymmetric buttons that yelled, Liberté!
oh, and here’s the best bit. She carried a £50,000 hermes Birkin bag made out of crocodile that snapped: it ain’t over till the lady with zero body fat sings!
You gotta admire her balls, inscrutable behind £350 Bottega Veneta sunnies: she alone could reverse global warming with just one icy stare!
Best of all, though, was when she emerged at the other end of America, and what must have been a really boring four years, to set a pointy toe in Florida at long last (I’m surprised she didn’t kiss the Tarmac, but she’s so brittle I doubt she bends), having changed into a £2,400 hexagon riot by Gucci and ‘Audrey hepburn’ pumps so comfy she was almost skipping.
She even cracked a smile! My goodness, we are going to miss her immaculate outfits, the helmet hair, the inscrutable gaze, the rictus grin, the trolleydolly demeanour.
Because you know what? Fashion may be frivolous. It will doubtless get on Kamala harris’s and Jill Biden’s nerves for the next four years, as we all continue to want to know whose shirt they wear.
But Melania’s sartorial swansong was priceless. What a shot in the arm — something we all need now more than ever.
IT is the largest peacetime resilience operation ever undertaken by the British Army.
Ninety-eight soldiers, mainly from Leucharsbased Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, are supporting NHS Scotland and local councils by helping to set up 80 vaccination centres.
These images show troops working at the Donald Dewar leisure centre in Glasgow’s Drumchapel area yesterday.
The military teams are surveying suggested sites for suitability, organising car parking and establishing patient recording systems.
They are also aiding vaccine deliveries to the sites and preparing storage facilities before handing the centres over to NHS Scotland.