President Donald Trump addressed a crowd of supporters before leaving Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (January 20), which included hinting at a possible comeback, ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
“So just a goodbye. We love you,” Trump said at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before walking across a red carpet to board Air Force One and depart to Florida, the Associated Press reports. “We will be back in some form.”
During his speech, which didn't include notes, Trump referred to his one-term presidency as an "incredible four years" and told the crowd that he and First Lady Melania Trump loved them.
Trump will be the first president in modern history to boycott his successor's inauguration amid false claims that the election was stolen from him, which has been rejected by many Republican officials in critical states, as well as members of his own administration and numerous judges.
Trump also refused to participate in numerous passing-of-the-torch traditions that have solidified a peaceful transition of power during past administrations, such as inviting President-elect Biden and incoming First Lady Jill Biden to the White House for a get-to-know-you visit, as former President Barack Obama -- who received numerous personal attacks from Trump throughout his presidency -- provided for Trump prior to his inauguration.
Trump, did, however, reportedly leave behind a note for President-elect Biden, spokesman Judd Deere confirmed to the AP, although declining to reveal what Trump wrote in the note, citing privacy between Trump and Biden.
Wednesday's inauguration was planned to be largely virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the since heightened security in Washington, D.C. after supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol earlier this month.
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