Donald Trump has announced he will not be attending the inauguration of President Elect Joe Biden on January 20.
In a statement on his recently reinstated Twitter account, the former gameshow host confirmed he would become the fourth President in history to refuse to attend his successor’s ceremony.
The others were John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson.
Hours earlier, the Republican leader had promised a peaceful transition of power to the Democrat.
He wrote: "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th."
It is traditional for the outgoing president, along with other living former presidents, to sit close to the victor at the swearing in event.
According to a Reuters source discussions are ongoing as to whether Trump will leave Washington the day before Biden is sworn in.
It is expected he will travel to his home in Florida, the source said.
Earlier today (January 7), Facebook confirmed it is blocking Donald Trump's account “indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks”, following rioting in the US Capitol.
The US President had been suspended from a number of social platforms after being blamed for inciting Wednesday’s violent clashes.
Writing on his own platform, Mark Zuckerberg said it was clear that Mr Trump intended to use his remaining time in office “to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden”.
