‘It’s been a great honour’, says Trump as he leaves White House

DONALD TRUMP pumped his fist and waved as he departed the White House on Marine One yesterday for the last time as US president.

“It’s been a great honour, the honour of a lifetime. The greatest people in the world, the greatest home in the world,” Mr Trump told reporters before heading to Marine One on South Lawn.

“We love the American people, and again, it has been something very special. And I just want to say goodbye but hopefully it’s not a long-term goodbye.”

Mr Trump is the first president in modern history to boycott his successor’s inauguration.

He did follow at least one presidential tradition. The White House said the Republican president left behind a note for his successor, Democrat Joe Biden.

Mr Trump has refused to publicly concede to Mr Biden and did not mention the Democrat by name in a pair of farewell addresses.

Mr Trump and Melania Trump landed in Florida more than an hour before Mr Biden was sworn in as the 46th US president.