UPDATE - Trump departs White House for final time

ADDS TRUMP'S REMARKS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - US President Donald Trump departed the White House for the final time Wednesday ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony.

The presidency was a "great honor" and an "honor of a lifetime," Trump told reporters before boarding a helicopter, adding "hopefully it's not a long term goodbye."

Trump headed to a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland where he gave his final speech.

Touting his administration's "great" work for the economy, tax cuts and development of a coronavirus vaccine, he said: "It is my greatest honor and privilege to have been your president."

"I wish the new administration great luck and great success," Trump said, vowing to 'always fight' for Americans. "Goodbye. We love you. We will be back in some form ... We will see you soon."

He is headed to the state of Florida to begin his post-presidential life.

The outgoing president previously announced he would not attend Biden's inauguration, breaking with precedent that dates back nearly 200 years.

Normally, the outgoing and incoming presidents ride to the Capitol building together to take part in the inauguration ceremony in a display that embodies the US's transfer of power. The tradition has been in place "with few exceptions" since 1837, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.