‘Have a good life, we’ll see you soon’: Trump departs White House after self-congratulatory farewell speech

Ex-President Donald Trump, rarely at a loss for words, refused to say two as he left the White House: Joe Biden.

The departing commander-in-chief delivered a self-congratulatory Wednesday farewell speech after departing the Oval Office for a final time, but couldn’t bring himself to congratulate the incoming president by name on the way out.

“I wish the new administration great luck and great success,” said Trump, speaking off the cuff before climbing aboard Air Force One. Trump did suggest the incoming administration could do well because he left behind “the foundation to do something really spectacular.”

He also became the first U.S. president in 152 years to snub his successor by bolting before Biden’s inauguration.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk from the White House to board Marine One on the South Lawn, Wednesday, Jan. 20, in Washington. Trump is en route to his Mar-a-Lago Florida Resort. (Alex Brandon/)

Trump also referenced the 75 million votes cast for him in November, while still steadfastly refusing to acknowledge that President Biden triumphed with millions more.

“Goodbye, we love you, we will be back in some form,” said the petulant ex-president before heading back to Florida with family members, including sons Donald Jr. and Eric and daughter Ivanka.

Trump was back inside his private Mar-A-Lago club by the time Biden took the presidential oath of office just before noon at the U.S. Capitol.

President Trump speaks to the crowd at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, Jan. 20. (Luis M. Alvarez/)

His departure came two weeks after the Capitol rioting by his supporters, who descended on the building after an incendiary speech by the president.

Trump and his wife exited the White House at 8:13 a.m., walking hand-in-hand across the South Lawn of the White House. He even stopped for photos and waved at the assembled media he often dismissed as the “enemy of the people.”

The pair climbed aboard the Marine One chopper for a final ride on Air Force One, landing 14 minutes later for a departure that felt like a campaign rally — replete with a 21-gun salute, a red carpet and the playing of “Hail to the Chief.”

Noticeably missing from the hoopla was Vice President Mike Pence, who drew Trump’s ire by refusing to back his bogus claim of a rigged election. Pence was among those opting to skip the farewell events at both the White House and the Air Force base.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on Marine One before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, Jan. 20. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/)

With several billowing American flags as his backdrop, Trump praised his administration’s efforts while laying blame for America’s 400,000 pandemic deaths on “the China virus.” None of the Trumps wore masks, although the crew of Air Force One all sported face coverings.

As the plane took off, Frank Sinatra’s version of “My Way” played as a final backdrop for the Queens-born president.

Trump family members stand on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. (ALEX EDELMAN/)

He received a warm welcome in Florida after a flight during which Fox News played on the Air Force One televisions.

“We love you!” chanted a crowd of several hundred red, white and blue-clad supporters as Trump’s motorcade drove past.

Trump, in the weeks after his defeat, refused to participate in any of the usual passing-of-the-torch traditions associated with the change of White House power. Biden and then-President Obama both welcomed the incoming Trump administration in 2017.

Trump instead focused almost entirely on a last-ditch losing effort to overturn the election results despite dozens of losing court challenges and a blatant lack of proof. He lashed out at Republicans deemed disloyal to his megalomaniacal claims of victory, and pressured state officials to back his fact-free allegations that the election was “rigged.”

Trump, after emerging as the GOP’s kingmaker during his single term, departed D.C. at a nadir in his presidency. If convicted by the Senate in his upcoming impeachment trial, Trump could be barred from seeking a second term. He’s also banned from Twitter, where the ex-president spoke directly to millions of fans and followers.

His divisive Washington legacy included not one but a pair of impeachments, the GOP’s loss of the presidency and Congress, his refusal to accept the election results and his mishandling of the coronavirus crisis.