Donald Trump has left the White House for the last time as president, before speaking at a military send-off at Joint Base Andrews and flying to his resort in Florida.
Donald and Melania Trump depart the White House. Photo: AFP
Trump departed with his wife Melania, hours before Democrat Joe Biden prepared to assume the presidency, flying to the airbase in Maryland aboard the Marine One helicopter.
That made him the first outgoing president since 1869 to skip the Inauguration Day ceremony that marks the formal transfer of power, in a final display of pique at his failure to win the 3 November election.
The president did, however, follow one small bit of traditional protocol, leaving a customary note for Biden in the Oval Office, according to a White House official, though it was not yet known what it said.
At the send-off event, Trump promised supporters "we'll be back in some form" and extolled his administration's successes, before flying to Florida on Air Force One
The plane taxied and lifted off as Frank Sinatra's classic song 'My Way' played over the loudspeakers. Air Force One later flew low to give Trump an aerial view of his post-presidential home at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.
Top Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence, were not there to see him go.
Biden arrived at the Capitol just before 10.30am for his inauguration after a visit to church, where he was joined in a show of unity by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Republican leader Kevin McCarthy.
Donald and Melania Trump walk to Marine One helicopter before leaving from the South Lawn of the White House. Photo: AFP
In his final remarks as president on Wednesday, Trump listed his successes, including the "medical miracle" that yielded a coronavirus vaccine in less than a year, and said serving as president was his "greatest honour." He did not mention Biden by name.
Concluding his speech, President Donald Trump said it had been the "greatest honour" to be president. Addressing supporters, he said he would "always fight for you" and will be "watching and listening" and pledges to be back in some capacity.
He also wished the new administration "great success" for the future - but did not address Joe Biden or Kamala Harris by name.
"Have a good life - we will see you soon," Trump said before boarding Air Force One to head to his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
Trump's motorcade slow-rolled past a long line of supporters on his way to Mar-a-Lago. His arrival there was timed to get behind its walls before his term as president expired at noon.
Trump issued more than 140 pardons and commutations in his final hours in office, including a pardon for his former political adviser, Steve Bannon, who has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges.
But he did not issue preemptive pardons for himself or members of his family, after speculation that he might do so.
The real estate tycoon, who owns 17 golf resorts around the world, faces a gigantic task rebuilding his brand. The New York Times reported that many of his resorts have been losing millions of dollars and that hundreds of millions in debt must be repaid within a few years.
He must also decide how to stay involved in politics, as he has promised to do. He has talked of using a super PAC (political action committee) to support candidates who try to oust Republicans who he believes crossed him politically. But it remains to be seen whether he can maintain his grip on the party.
- Reuters / BBC