Ivanka Trump, 39, was in tears as Donald Trump left the White House.  The First Daughter stood with the Trump family as the US President took to the podium for the last time. Siblings Don Jr, Eric and Tiffany Trump could also be seen with tears streaming down their cheeks as they observed their father’s final speech at Join Base Andrews in Maryland.

The Republican president departed the White House with his wife, Melania, saying it had been a great honor to serve and giving a final wave as he boarded the Marine One helicopter for Joint Base Andrews, where he delivered farewell remarks.

President Trump told reporters: “So just a goodbye. We love you. We will be back in some form.

“Have a good life. We will see you soon.”

The plane then taxied and lifted off as Frank Sinatra’s classic song “My Way” played over the loudspeakers.

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Mr Trump left a note for his successor, Democrat Joe Biden, a spokesman confirmed.

He has declined to mention Biden’s name even as he wished the incoming administration luck on his way out of office.

The 74-year-old bade his farewell hours before Biden was to be inaugurated.

That made him the first outgoing president since Andrew Johnson in 1869 to skip the Inauguration Day ceremony that marks the formal transfer of power, in a final display of pique at his failure to win re-election in November.

Mr Trump’s arrival at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach is being timed to get him behind the wall of the resort before Trump’s term as president expires at noon.

“I will always fight for you. I will be watching. I will be listening. And I will tell you that the future of this country has never been better,” he said in his final public remarks.

“I wish the new administration great luck and great success. I think they’ll have great success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular.”

Mr Trump has a long way to go to rebuild an image left in tatters by his stormy presidency, particularly the final months.

More to follow…