Trump's Farewell Speech: 'Have a Good Life'

Joe Biden will become the 46th president at noon, and President Trump will have been long gone by the time that happens. Trump departed for Mar-a-Lago on Air Force One at 8:59am. He arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland shortly after 8:30am to a 21-gun salute and gave a farewell speech to the crowd.

• A smiling Trump said "this has been an incredible four years. We have accomplished so much together. ... People have no idea how hard this family worked," he said, pointing to his children. "They could have had a much easier life. ... Our first lady has been a woman of great grace and beauty and dignity, and so popular with the people."
• He then turned the mic over to Melania Trump. "You will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all, God bless your families, and God bless this beautiful nation," she said.
• Trump returned to the mic, saying "what else has to be said?" He listed accomplishments like the creation of Space Force—"that would be a major achievement for a regular administration. We were not a regular administration"—his approval rating among veterans, tax cuts, job numbers prior to the pandemic, the COVID vaccines (with a reference to the "China virus"), and the stock market. "Remember us, because I'm looking at elements of our economy that are set to be a rocket ship up."
• "As the athletes would say, we left it all in the field. ... We just got 75 million votes and that's a record in the history of sitting presidents."
• "It is my greatest honor and privilege to have been your president." He stopped, as the crowd chanted 'USA! USA! Thank you, Trump! Thank you, Trump!" He continued, "I will always fight for you. I will be watching, I will be listening, the future of this country has never been better." He expressed that he thought the incoming administration would have great success because he positioned it for success; he at no point mentioned Biden by name.
• "A goodbye. We love you. We will be back in some form. ... Have a good life, we will see you soon."

• Biden's day began just as Trump was exiting. As Trump boarded the plane, the Bidens at 8:45am departed for Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. The Hill reports Congressional leaders Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Kevin McCarthy accepted Biden's invitation to join him at the church service.
• The Guardian reports the inauguration events begin around 11am, with Kamala Harris set to be sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor shortly before noon. Biden will take the oath of office using a "very large" family bible from 1893.
• As for what awaits Trump in Florida, the Sun-Sentinel spoke with the head of the Trump Club 45 USA fan club, who said a large crowd of "flag-waving supporters" will be cheering Trump's arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.
• The New York Times, meanwhile, reports on the "awkward pas de deux" that will take place today, with the 90-person White House staff deep-cleaning and readying the residence for the Bidens in about five hours; the Bidens' things cannot be moved in until the swearing-in is complete. The paper notes some of the items that will be leaving with Trump. Among them: a $50,000 room-size golf simulator.

(More President Trump stories.)