Outgoing US President Donald Trump left the White House for the last time on Wednesday, 20 January. Speaking at the Joint Air Force Base, Trump said that he will always “fight” for the country.
“I will always fight for you. I will be watching, listening. The future of this country has never been better. I wish the new administration great luck and success. I think they have the foundation to do something really spectacular,” Trump said.
He thanked his family and friends for their “hard work and efforts”, adding that his administration was “not a regular one.”
“This has been an incredible four years. We accomplished so much together. I want to thank my family, friends and my staff. Want to thank you for your effort. People have no idea how hard this family worked,” Trump said.
Trump added that it was a “medical miracle” that the vaccine was developed under a short period of time.
“We have the greatest country and economy in the world. We were hit so hard by the pandemic. We did something that is considered a medical miracle- the vaccine which was developed in 9 months.”Donald Trump
Pray for Success of New Administration: Trump in Farewell Message
On Tuesday, 19 January, his final day as President of the United States, Donald Trump released a farewell message, wishing the new administration success for the first time, hours before he leaves office.
“I took on the tough battles, the hardest fights, the most difficult choices – because that’s what you elected me to do,” Trump said in his address.
"This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous," he says in the video. "We did what we came here to do – and so much more."
However, despite his prayer for the new administration, AFP reports that Trump has not yet personally congratulated Biden on his win or invited him for the customary tea in the Oval Office.
President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in on Wednesday at noon, ET.
“Shutting down free and open debate violates our core values and most enduring traditions,” he said, adding,“In America, we don’t insist on absolute conformity or enforce rigid orthodoxies and punitive speech codes. We just don’t do that.”
In his speech, Trump addressed everything – from his social media ban to his foreign policy.
“America is not a timid nation of tame souls who need to be sheltered and protected from those with whom we disagree”, Trump said.
In the video, Trump spoke of his accomplishments, touting that he worked relentlessly for the people of America, and to 'Make America Great Again'. Through his words, he framed his presidency as one that worked for the forgotten and neither showed remorse nor apologised for his brash approach to politics.
Trump spoke proudly of not having started any foreign wars, and on taking a tough stance with reference to China.
“I am especially proud to be the first president in decades who has started no new wars,” he said. “Above all, we have reasserted that in America, the government answers to the people.”
Ivanka Trump Issues Farewell Message
Meanwhile, close on his heels, Trump’s daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump also issued a farewell message in which she said that Americans must pray for the success of the Biden administration.
In a statement on Twitter, Ivanka wished luck to Biden and soon-to-be Vice President Kamala Harris as well as their partners and staff saying, "May God give wisdom, courage and strength" to them.
"As Americans we must all pray for their success," she wrote, adding that it had been “an honor of a lifetime" to serve the US as President Trump's advisor.
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