Trump Hints at Political Comeback, Saying "We Will See Each Other Again Soon"... Leaves Letter for Successor (Summary)

Carrying the Nuclear Briefcase to Florida... Flaunting to Supporters
Some Interpret the Pardon of Close Aides as a Step Toward Founding a New Party

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Former U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a political comeback in his farewell speech, drawing attention to his future political moves. According to foreign media including AFP, on the 20th (local time), former President Trump left the White House before President Biden's inauguration and held his farewell ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base. During his farewell speech, he said, "I will be back in some form." Just before leaving the White House, he also emphasized, "I want to say goodbye, but we will see each other again soon."

Accordingly, prospects for Trump's return to politics are emerging. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported the day before that Trump discussed with aides and close associates the creation of a new party called the ‘Patriot Party.’ It is expected that he will challenge for re-election in 2024 independently of the Republican Party. Spending time on pardoning close aides until his last day in office is also interpreted as a strategic move to prepare for the new party’s establishment.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

It is known that former President Trump at least followed the tradition of leaving a letter for his successor. On that day, President Biden stated in his office after the inauguration, "Former President Trump left a very generous letter." Biden added, "Since it is private, I will not disclose the contents until I say I will share it with him."

After finishing his farewell speech, Trump headed to the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, taking the nuclear football with him. According to CNN, the nuclear football is a briefcase-type device that allows the U.S. president to issue a nuclear strike order in an emergency. When he left for Florida while still president, the military personnel responsible for carrying the nuclear football had to follow him to Florida and then immediately return to Washington, D.C. CNN criticized him as "the president who caused the first nuclear gap in 60 years since the Cold War."

The reason Trump took the nuclear football with him is interpreted as a show of strength to his supporters waiting for him in Florida. According to the Associated Press, when the presidential plane landed at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida that day, the crowd waiting gave a huge cheer.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.