United States: Donald and Melania Trump arrived at their luxury residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida
The billionaire began his life as a former president on Wednesday, away from the spotlight this time on the swearing-in of Joe Biden.
He landed in Florida on a final flight in Air Force One, which included his wife, Melania, their son, Barron as well as Donald Trump's children, Ivanka, Donald Jr and Eric. Donald Trump arrived at his luxury residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida on Wednesday, January 20. The billionaire began his life as a former president, far from the spotlight this time on the swearing-in of Joe Biden.
As the inauguration ceremony of his Democratic successor began to be in full swing in Washington, he arrived by car in Palm Beach, escorted by about thirty cars, one of which carried the military officer holding the famous suitcase containing the nuclear codes. 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, letting glimpse the ex-president smile on his lips and point tight in the face of the messages brandished by his followers: "Crushing victory of Trump", could we read that of a woman in tears. On others: "Welcome home" or "Trump 2024".
A deserted ceremony of honor
Before flying to Florida, a ceremony was organized in honor of Donald Trump, without glares and in the absence of many guests. At Andrews military base in the windswept suburb of Washington, some 500 people made the trip anyway.
A few hours before Joe Biden's arrival 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," he said in a short statement with the accents of a campaign speech except this time it was to say goodbye. "It has been for me the greatest honor and the greatest privilege to be your president," he added.
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.
