Donald Trump has ended his presidency to the soundtrack of The Village People’s “YMCA” and Laura Branigan’s “Gloria”.
The outgoing president left the White House just after 8am EST aboard a helicopter on Wednesday (20 January). He had hoped to draw a huge crowd, but TV footage showed numerous empty spaces in the viewing area.
Even Trump’s vice-president Mike Pence did not attend. A White House official told reporters it would be difficult for Pence to be present at both Trump’s send-off and Joe Biden’s inauguration.
When Trump landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to give his final speech as president, the song “Gloria” by Laura Branigan blasted out at the stage. In his address, he told fans: “Goodbye, we love you. We will be back in some form.”
He also claimed credit for the development of Covid vaccines and glossed over his many failures.
Trump then exited to the sound of The Village People’s “YMCA” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”. All these songs have been staples at Trump’s rallies, whether the artists like it or not.
Last November, the record label that represents The Village People announced it would be launching legal action against Trump, whose use of the song “YMCA” at campaign rallies was said to have been unauthorised.
Trump remains president until midday EST on Wednesday (5pm GMT) when Biden is officially inaugurated as his successor.
The outgoing president will not be attending the inauguration. He is only the fourth ever outgoing president to boycott the ceremony.
