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President Donald Trump released a recorded valedictory address Tuesday afternoon summarizing his accomplishments and promising supporters that his political movement will continue even after he’s out of power.
“Now, as I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning,” the president said.
The president’s speech focused on his administration’s accomplishments, which he says include building “the greatest economy in the world,” rallying nations to “stand up to China like never before” and encouraging Israel’s normalization of relations with Arab states, including Bahrain and United Arab Emirates.
“I am especially proud to be the first president in decades who has started no new wars,” Trump said, though the president has ordered numerous military strikes in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and other places.
Trump will reportedly make a final appearance as president at 8 a.m. before departing from Joint Base Andrews. He has stated that he will not attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. It will be the first time a living ex-president did not attend the inauguration of his successor in roughly 150 years.
Vice President Mike Pence will not attend Trump’s farewell event, with the Washington Post reporting that logistical challenges prevent him from attending that speech and Biden’s inauguration.
