President Trump did leave a note for Joe Biden, the White House confirms, continuing a tradition between outgoing and incoming presidents.
A White House aide would not say whether Trump drafted the note on his final night in office, or whether he wrote the note before departing the White House for the final time in his presidency on Wednesday.
Reporters observed White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien and Vice President Mike Pence’s national security adviser Keith Kellogg in the Oval Office moments after Trump departed the White House.
Trump did not mention President-elect Biden in his farewell remarks at Joint Base Andrews, where the president was met with a small crowd of family members and aides for a final gathering before leaving Washington.
The president was eager for a send-off befitting the office, with aides discussing options including a color guard, military band, or 21-gun cannon salute in the days leading up to Jan. 20. All were present for the event, and an Air Force Band played “Hail to the Chief.”
Trump was joined on Air Force One by close aides. A handful of White House staffers will join him in Florida as he embarks on his post-presidency life at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach resort.
Trump ticked through several of his administration’s signature decisions, such as the creation of a “Space Force,” deadpanning, “We were not a regular administration.”
The president touted the economy before the coronavirus, Operation Warp Speed’s “medical miracle” vaccine timeline, and his administration’s 2017 tax cuts.
“I hope they don’t raise your taxes. But if they do, I told you so,” he quipped about the incoming administration.
“We’ve left it all on the field as some athletes say,” Trump added. “In a month, when we’re sitting in Florida, we’re not going to be looking at each other and saying, ‘If only we worked harder.'”
“Remember us,” he said. “We will be back in some form.”
One aide who attended Trump’s final Washington hurrah was enthusiastic, even as he put a lid on the president’s term.
“Trump is completing the most successful presidential term in American history,” said Boris Epshteyn, a 2020 campaign adviser and former senior Trump White House official.
Trump used much of his four-year term to demolish or ignore many Washington traditions. However, he opted to follow the practice of the departing chief executive leaving some words of wisdom about the job to his successor. President Barack Obama did just that four years ago in his final moments in the Oval Office as president.
“Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure. This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success,” Obama wrote. “Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.”
But aides said throughout Trump’s term that he did not ask Obama or any other living former commander in chief for advice and did not attempt to establish any kind of relationship with any of those four men.
Notably absent from the event was Vice President Mike Pence, who will attend Biden’s inauguration before taking a small government plane to his hometown of Columbus, Indiana. Pence left a note for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on his desk in West Wing, according to Bloomberg.
While Trump left aboard Air Force One, Pence will not be flying on Air Force Two, instead taking a flight dubbed a “special air mission” by officials.
Before leaving the White House, Trump said goodbye to aides in the Diplomatic Reception room, including White House counsel Pat Cipollone, deputy counsel Pat Philbin, O’Brien, and Kellogg.
