Trump initially did not want to release a video criticizing legalists whose actions he widely supported – and who he said he “loved” the day before – but he told advisers to prepare a speech and then he would decide.
After reading the brief script they had prepared, Trump agreed to record it on Thursday night – a relief for the senior team, although concerns persisted that he might step back during his last days in office, since his real position remained unchanged: that he lost the election unfairly.
Still, having now admitted that he will no longer serve a second term, Trump began to think about how he will spend his last days at the White House, according to people familiar with the matter.
But with Trump ending, for now, his false attempt to overturn the election results, the hope among advisers is that he will finally focus on his post-presidency.
Aides still have a long list of executive actions that he is expected to sign in his final days, including a list of steps to buy Americans. There is talk of a trip next week to see progress on the border wall, one of Trump’s most proud achievements. And a series of pardons, including potentially for him and his family, are expected in the coming days.
Aides are still discussing a farewell speech or interview, but acknowledging that the video that Trump released on Thursday saying “a new administration will open on January 20” is the closest to a concession he will get.
“My focus now is on ensuring a smooth, orderly and continuous power transition,” he said, speaking in a monotone and reading on a teleprompter. “This moment requires healing and reconciliation.”
Trump’s highly scripted video acknowledging that he will leave the White House is the tone his advisers expect him to follow when he leaves office. Thursday’s video was sober, recorded inside the house and looked quite edited. Trump showed little emotion when he admitted that his time as president was coming to an end.
Earlier in the day, Trump canceled a visit to Camp David scheduled for this weekend, according to a source familiar with the planning, which probably would have been his last time at the presidential retreat. He was planning to attend the riots, but decided on Thursday, amid questions about cabinet resignations and defections, to stay in Washington. Other “last” ones are still in the air, like his last flight aboard Air Force One.
Trump must also decide soon when and how he wants to leave the White House. Authorities do not yet expect him to appear for the inauguration, although he did ask advisers if he should. For some, he signaled that it is not ruled out.
Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump cursed on Wednesday after informing the president that he could not overturn the election results, according to a source familiar with the conversation, may attend depending on whether he is invited.
At this point, Trump is expected to head to his exclusive member resort in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, after leaving the White House for the last time, despite his discontent with recent renovations to his private apartment. over there.
In challenging the election results, Trump refused to discuss how he would like to spend his last days at the White House or what he would do next.
Authorities are eager for conservations to begin now, hoping to spend some time focusing on Trump’s “legacy”, although many inside the building believe it will be irrevocably tarnished by his behavior that led to this week’s riots.