Trump starts his life after at his residence in Mar-a-Lago
(Palm Beach) It was at his luxury residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, that Donald Trump began his life as former president on Wednesday, far from the spotlight this time on Joe Biden's swearing-in.
As the inauguration ceremony of his Democratic successor began to be in full swing in Washington, the billionaire arrived by car in Palm Beach, escorted by about thirty cars including one carrying the military officer holding the famous suitcase containing the nuclear codes .
He arrived in Florida on a final flight in Air Force One aboard his wife, Melania, their son, Barron, as well as Donald Trump's children, Ivanka, Donald Jr and Eric.
The outgoing president, who made no comment to reporters during the flight, was greeted by a favorable crowd.
Hundreds of fans lined the road, waving Trump campaign flags or American flags. A supporter waved a few insulting words for Biden.
The procession slowed down, revealing the ex-president's smile and a clenched fist at the messages brandished by his followers: "Trump's crushing victory," read that of a woman in tears. On others: "Welcome home" or "Trump 2024".
“We love you,” chanted a nearby group of some pro-Biden holding a sign: “You're fired, you're a loser. "
Farewell without dazzling
Before flying to Florida, a ceremony was held in honor of Donald Trump without glares in the absence of many guests.
At the Andrews military base in the windswept Washington suburbs, at most 500 people made the trip.
A few hours before Joe Biden arrived at the White House, the Republican benefited from all the ceremonial: an Air Force orchestra played "Hail to the Chief" and 21 cannon shots rang out .
“We have the biggest country in the world,” the billionaire said in a short statement with a campaign speech except this time it was to say goodbye.
"It has been the greatest honor and the greatest privilege for me to be your President," he added.
Regardless of the number of supporters, the ceremony was meant to honor a leader at the height of power.
Yet this is the departure of a president completing his term with the prospect of an impeachment trial that could open in the Senate soon after the inauguration of his successor. He was indicted on charges of "inciting an insurgency" for calling on his supporters to march on Congress on January 6.
And then, the ceremony was enough to disappoint Donald Trump since even his vice-president, Mike Pence, until then the embodiment of loyalty to the bubbling president, had shunned the event to attend ... the inauguration ceremony of Joe Biden.
With an oath from Joe Biden scheduled for noon, every minute was counted for Trump if he wanted to fly to Florida using Air Force One and be entitled to the presidential motorcade to his residence.
With the aim of increasing the number of spectators, the White House had tried to activate its network, multiplying the invitations. Guests were also reportedly told they could invite up to five friends.
An invitation was even sent to Anthony Scaramucci, the former communications director removed from his post after just 11 days at the start of Trump's tenure, who later became the president's caustic television critic.
"Believe me, if I received an email, it was because the invitation was sent en masse," he opined on the Inside Edition TV show.
Even staunch supporters of Donald Trump, Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and his House of Representatives counterpart Kevin McCarthy, shunned the Republican billionaire, preferring to attend a mass attended by Joe Biden.
At the Andrews military base, a red carpet had been rolled out on the tarmac to the stairs to Air Force One: it was a last, icy step for ex-President Trump.
