The Trumps escort the Bidens off the Capitol grounds after the 2025 inauguration.Photo:ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty
Joe Bidenand his wifeJill Bidenhave departed the U.S. Capitol in one final grand exit afterDonald Trumpwas sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
Joe, 82, and Jill, 73, boarded the so-called “Nighthawk 46” helicopter shortly after 1 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 20,as they began their journey to Southern California after finishing their time in office.
Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff hug at the inauguration ceremony for Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2025.Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Chip Somodevilla/Getty
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said, adding that there’s “a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a few ultra-wealthy people and the dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked.”
“I’m equally concerned about the potential rise of a tech-industrial complex that could pose real dangers to our country as well,” Biden continued.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty
Also on Jan. 15, the former Delaware senator shareda letter reflecting on his administration’s record from his time in office, saying “we have the strongest economy in the world and have created a record 16.6 million new jobs.”
“Four years ago, we stood in a winter of peril and a winter of possibilities. We were in the grip of the worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War,” he began the letter, pera White House press release, seemingly referring to Trump and the January 6 riots. “But we came together as Americans, and we braved through it. We emerged stronger, more prosperous, and more secure.”
“… History is in your hands,” he finished the letter. “The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. We just have to keep the faith and remember who we are. We are the United States of America, and there is simply nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.”
Both Bidens attended Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20. Also in the audience were former PresidentsBarack Obama,George W. BushandBill Clintonand their spouses, with the exception ofMichelle Obama, who previouslyannounced she would not attend the ceremonyafter also missingJimmy Carter’s funeral last week.
Joe Biden and Jill Biden wait to greet Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House on May 23, 2024 in Washington, DC.Andrew Harnik/Getty
Andrew Harnik/Getty
In one of his final interviews as president, Biden also reflected on his legacy toUSA Today, telling the outlet thathe believes he could have wonhis bid for reelection had he not dropped out and endorsed Vice President Harris amid mounting pressure, but conceded that his age might have played a role in not being able to serve another term.
“It’s presumptuous to say that, but I think yes,” Biden said, adding that he didn’t know if he would have had the energy to continue serving as president.
“So far, so good,” Biden added toUSA Today. “But who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old?”
The outgoing president also spoke about how he met with Trump ahead of his inauguration, and he spoke about urging Trump to not go after political opponents.
“I tried to make clear that there was no need, and it was counterintuitive for his interest to go back and try to settle scores,” he said, clarifying that Trump didn’t say much in response. “He didn’t say, ‘No, I’m going to …’ You know. He didn’t reinforce it. He just basically listened.”
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“I hope that history says that I came in and I had a plan how to restore the economy and reestablish America’s leadership in the world,” Biden added. “That was my hope. I mean, you know, who knows? And I hope it records that I did it with honesty and integrity, that I said what was on my mind.”
source: people.com
