WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — President Donald Trump departed the White House for the final time as president early Wednesday, just hours before President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office.
Trump emerged from the building Wednesday morning and strode across the South Lawn to board Marine One. He said, “It’s been a great honor, the honor of a lifetime.”
He was sent off with a departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryland before traveling to Florida, where he’ll begin his post-presidency at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach. The farewell event included a red carpet, a military band and a 21-gun salute.
Trump spoke to a crowd that included his family, former staff and supporters, promising “We will be back in some form.” He didn’t detail any further specifics of his plans.
“I will always fight for you,” Trump said Wednesday morning. “I will be watching. I will be listening, and I will tell you that the future of this country has never been better. I wish the new administration great luck and great success. I think they’ll have great success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular.”
Outgoing US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump speak to the media as they depart the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2021. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) 
Outgoing US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump speak to the media depart the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2021. – President Trump travels his Mar-a-Lago golf club residence in Palm Beach, Florida, and will not attend the inauguration for President-elect Joe Biden. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) 
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave the White House to board Marine One ahead of the inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden, in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis 
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Marine One lifts off carrying President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump as they depart from the White House ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) 
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: A moving truck departs outside of the West Wing of the White House at dawn on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump is making his scheduled departure from the White House for Florida, several hours ahead of the inauguration ceremony for his successor Joe Biden, making him the first president in more than 150 years to refuse to attend the inauguration. (Photo by Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images) 
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Marine One lifts off carrying President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump as they depart from the White House ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today’s inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) 
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Marine One lifts off carrying President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump as they depart from the White House ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) 
Donald Trump Jr. attends the departure ceremony of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria 
Ivanka Trump attends the departure ceremony of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria 
First lady Melania Trump watches as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria 
First lady Melania Trump looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
First lady Melania Trump also gave brief remarks at the farewell event, calling her role the “greatest honor.”
“Being your first lady was my greatest honor. Thank you for your love and your support. 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 announced earlier this month that he would not be attending Biden’s inauguration, breaking with tradition.
Trump’s No. 2, Vice President Mike Pence, is staying in the nation’s capital for the presidential transition.
Trump’s departure means he will not take part in the tradition of the outgoing and incoming presidents traveling together from the White House to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremony. He’s the first incumbent president to skip his successor’s swearing-in since Andrew Johnson.
Trump announced his plans to skip the inauguration two days after a violent mob of his supporters occupied the Capitol as Congress met to certify Biden’s Electoral College victory. It also followed several months of the president making unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud.
Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, have repeatedly dismissed cases challenging the election results, and former Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, has said there was no sign of widespread fraud.
Trump is expected to remain in Florida with a small group of aides, though no further details of his plans are known at this time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
