'It's been a great honor': Trump departs White House in final hours of presidency
WASHINGTON - In the waning hours of his presidency, Donald Trump left the nation’s capital Wednesday morning ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Trump is the first president to skip his successor’s inauguration in more than a century. Andrew Johnson, the first president to be impeached, skipped the inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant in 1869.
Accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, the president departed the White House shortly after 8 a.m. ET. He told the press pool waiting by the White House lawn that being president has been the honor of his lifetime.
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RELATED: ‘We did what we came here to do’: Trump bids farewell to White House in video
The Trumps waved as they boarded Marine One for the final time and took a flight over the capital city that is already staged for Wednesday’s inauguration.
They landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where Air Force One was waiting to carry them to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
Four U.S. Army cannons greeted the Trumps with a 21-gun salute before Trump delivered final remarks to a small batch of supporters.
Melania Trump also spoke briefly, saying her time as first lady has been her greatest honor.
"Thank you for your love and your support. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. God bless your families. And God bless this beautiful nation. Thank you," she said.
Echoing his message in his farewell video on Tuesday, Trump touted his administration as "a great success," claiming that the incoming administration has a "foundation to do something really spectacular."
"I wish the new administration great luck and great success. I think they'll have great success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular," Trump added.
Outgoing US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Marine One at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2021. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The crowd chanted "Thank you, Trump" and "We love Trump" as he spoke.
"People have no idea how hard this family worked. They could have had a much easier life, but they did a fantastic job," Trump said of his family.
RELATED: Vice President Mike Pence will not attend Trump's sendoff event, will attend Biden's inauguration
He concluded by telling onlookers to "have a good life" and promised to see them soon.
Before walking off the stage to The Village People’s "YMCA," a song popular at his campaign rallies, he promised to "be back in some form."
RELATED: Full transcript: Read President Donald Trump's farewell address on eve of White House departure
The Trumps will land in Florida before Biden takes the oath of office. Air Force one will then head back to Washington.
This story was reported from Atlanta. Kelly Hayes contributed to this report.