"An incredible four years": Donald Trump leaves Florida

Trump said "this has been an incredible four years."

U.S. President Donald Trump left Washington on Wednesday three hours before the inauguration of his successor Joe Biden, saying it had been "an incredible four years" and vowed to "return in some way." "I just want to say goodbye but I hope it's not a long-term goodbye," Trump told reporters at the White House before he and Melania Trump's wife left the red carpet and boarded a Marine One to board a helicopter.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters, staff and family members in Andrews after the 21- gun salute and continuous hooting "Hail to the Chief," Trump said, "this has been an amazing four years." “We have achieved so much together,” he further added "I will always fight for you”. "It is my great privilege and honour to be your president," he said. "We'll be back somehow."

Trump did not superscribe to Biden by name in his remarks but said he wished the new management "good luck and success." Trump, 74, has indicated he will run for president in 2024, but will face charges in the Senate over his role during the US Capitol strike on January 6 by his supporters and a ban on future positions.

Trump boarded Air Force One after his remarks with a presidential jet that took a two-hour flight to Florida as Frank Sinatra's "My Way" played with speakers on a hot but cold day.

He is the first president in more than 150 years to ignore inauguration. Some advisors urged the ex-president to hold Biden's meeting at the White House ahead of the opening day, but there was no sign that Trump was willing to do so, the administration said.  Which was also very clear by his absence among 1200 guests who were all there to celebrate Biden-Harris presidential transition and to start the new chapter of America’s democracy. A White House spokesman said Trump, in line with tradition, had left a letter to Biden at the Oval Office.

Trump repeatedly lied that he had won the November 3 election and was fired a second time by the House of Representatives after his supporters attacked the Capitol with the intention of revoking the certificate of victory over the Congress of Biden.