Donald Trump and his wife Melania upon their arrival in Florida.

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Joe Cavaretta

No more White House spotlights, head for the Florida sun.

It was in his luxury residence in Mar-a-Lago that Donald Trump began his life as a former president on Wednesday.

As the inauguration ceremony for his Democratic successor began in Washington, the billionaire drove to Palm Beach, escorted by around 30 cars, including one carrying the military officer holding the suitcase containing the nuclear codes.

He arrived 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.

" Welcome to the house "

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, giving a glimpse of the ex-president smile on his lips and tight point 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".

“We love you,” chanted a nearby group of some pro-Biden holding a sign: “You're fired, you're a loser.

"

A ceremonial in the morning

Before flying to Florida, a ceremony was organized in honor of Donald Trump without splinters in the absence of many guests.

At the Andrews military base in the windswept suburb of Washington, at most 500 people made the trip.

A few hours before the arrival of Joe Biden at the White House, the Republican benefited from all the ceremonial: an orchestra of the Air Force 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 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.

Regardless of the number of supporters, the ceremony was meant to honor a leader at the height of power.

Pence with Biden

Yet it is the departure of a president completing his term with the prospect of an impeachment trial that could open in the Senate shortly after the inauguration of his successor.

He was indicted on charges of "inciting insurgency" for calling on his supporters to march on Congress on January 6.

And the ceremony was enough to disappoint Donald Trump, since even his vice-president, Mike Pence, had shunned the event to go to attend… the inauguration ceremony of Joe Biden.

With a Joe Biden swearing-in scheduled for noon, every minute was counted for Trump if he wanted to travel 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 informed that they could invite up to five friends.

Shunned by the Republican camp

An invitation was even sent to Anthony Scaramucci, the ex-communications director removed from his post after just 11 days at the start of Trump's tenure, who then became a caustic television critic of the president.

"Believe me, if I received an email, it is because the invitation was sent en masse," he said on the

Inside Edition

television 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.

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