Donald Trump leaves New York to take oath as 45th US President

Hours before he takes the oath of office as the 45^th US President, Donald Trump on Thursday left New York, a city that bears the real-estate tycoon’s imprints, for Washington for his inauguration ceremony on Friday.

Trump, 70, and his family left New York City for Washington, this time not flying in his private plane that bears his name but in a military jet headed to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland near the nation’s capital.

Joined by his family, wife Melania, daughter Ivanka and sons Don and Eric, Trump will take the oath of office as the leader of the world’s most powerful nation tomorrow as hundreds of thousands of people descend on Washington to both support and protest his inauguration.

A report in CBS News said as Trump and his family drove away from Trump Tower, his luxurious power centre and campaign headquarters in Manhattan, some onlookers and hecklers gathered on the street to watch the motorcade.

Trump, who enters the White House with the promise of transforming US politics over the next four years, began his day today with tweeting: “The journey begins and I will be working and fighting very hard to make it a great journey for the American people. I have no doubt that we will, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump’s swearing-in tomorrow noon, a date and hour set by the US Constitution, will be attended by his unsuccessful Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton, three former presidents and numerous other dignitaries.

The Republican billionaire has no previous political or military experience and has never held a public office before.