While most of the rest of the nation and the world watched Joe Biden being sworn in as the 46th President on Wednesday, a few Trump loyalists gathered in the streets outside Mar-a-Lago to hold a dance party.
The crowd - which was mostly maskless - danced, laughed and hugged as they waited for Trump to arrive in Florida with his children. Almost all of the Trump clan has now made Florida their home.
In his final hours as President on Tuesday and Wednesday, Trump pardoned dozens of celebrities, donors and millionaires from future prosecution.
He gave a final speech at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One, where he promised to be back 'in some form' before trying to take credit for the Biden's administration's future success.
Trump vowed ‘we will be back - in some form’ as he left Washington D.C. for the last time Wednesday, flying off on Air Force One to Mar-a-Lago to snub Joe Biden – then claiming credit in advance for the new administration’s success.
‘Have a good life,’ he told a crowd of a few hundred supporters at Joint Base Andrews, after listing his ‘achievements’ in a speech which began after a 21-gun salute.
In the front row, Ivanka Trump cried, while behind the maskless crowd chanted ‘thank you Trump,’ before the first family climbed the stairs to Air Force One for the final time.
Outgoing US President Donald Trump waves to supporters lined along on the route to his Mar-a-Lago estate on January 20, 2021 in West Palm Beach, Florida
Supporters of President Donald Trump, Jennifer Aiello, left, Ron Raven dance as they wait for the motorcade on the road to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach estate, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021
Heidi Forte, middle, with other supporters of President Donald Trump wait for the motorcade on the road to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach estate, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021
Supporters of President Donald Trump wave as they wait for the motorcade on the road to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach estate, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021
A supporter of President Donald Trump waits for the motorcade on the road to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach estate, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in West Palm Beach
Supporters of President Donald Trump cheer for the president in his final moments as POTUS. Supporters gathered along the path to Trump's Mar a Lago club on Palm Beach
A supporter of outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump walks with a flag, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 20, 2021
The military ceremony had the atmosphere of a Trump rally: Gloria was played as Air Force One taxied, and then the YMCA as Trump hugged and kissed his children and finally My Way as the plan rose into the air.
‘We love you. We will be back in some form,’ he told the crowd of cheering supporters before signing off: 'Have a good life, we will see you soon.'
The farewell resembled one of Trump’s infamous campaign rallies, ending with ‘YMCA’ – the song Trump would depart to – as supporters cheered ‘USA, USA, USA.’
My Way, which Trump and Melania danced to at his 2017 inaugural ball, played as Air Force One took off.
The president paused at times in his remarks. While he did not show tears, he appeared to feel the weight of the occasion while taking time to enjoy the final moments of his time in office.
He notably did not mention the name of incoming President Joe Biden.
Trump gives his farewell speech at Andrews Air Force Base in the last hours of his Presidency. He said it had been an 'honor and a privilege'
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base
Melania Trump and Donald Trump wave to their supporters as they board Air Force One for the last time on Wednesday
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet the crowd before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021
‘Hail to Chief’ played as Trump and Melania - who was wearing a Chanel jacket, sunglasses and carrying a $70,000 black crocodile Hermes Birkin bag - walked from Marine One to the platform where the president addressed the crowd.
‘We love you,’ the supporters yelled as Trump took the stage after arriving while his children watched proudly.
‘We accomplished a lot,’ Trump said. ‘We worked hard. We left it all - as the athletes would say - we left it in the field.’
He left behind a last-minute flurry of pardons, including to Steve Bannon, the indicted one-time White House Svengali, Trump-backing rapper Lil’ Wayne and a convicted stalker friend of his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Also left on the field was a shattered Republican Party, whose top ranks are torn apart by his second impeachment. In the dying days of his presidency, Trump floated starting his own ‘Patriot Party’ from his Mar-a-Lago home.
He told his supporters, who he hopes to harness as a power force in future elections, that he will be there for them.
‘I will always fight for you. I will be watching, I will be listening and I will tell you the future of the country has never been better. I wish the new administration great luck and great success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular and in a position like it has never been,’ he said.
He has reportedly discussed forming another party, known as the Patriot Party, to continue his political career.
Melania Trump, wearing black, briefly addressed the crowd. She wore a Chanel, military-style jacket and had her hair pinned up for her final appearance as first lady.
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