Has outgoing President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden had any direct contact? The incoming White House communications director has the answer.
When asked the question during an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos Wednesday, Kate Bedingfield said, “He has not.”
Watch the video below:
.@GStephanopoulos: "Has [Biden] had any contact at all, direct contact, with President Trump?"
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 20, 2021
New WH Communications Director @KBeds: "He has not."https://t.co/291srPfW5D pic.twitter.com/22OI7EtDtq
Around 12 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in.
Trump and the first lady left the White House on Wednesday morning for the last time on route to Mar-a-Lago. During the departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said, “It is my greatest honor and privilege to have been your president.”
He concluded, “Have a good life, we will see you soon.”
President Trump at farewell ceremony: “I wish the new administration great luck and great success. I think they’ll have great success. They have the foundation to do something very spectacular.” https://t.co/UAlbBuSLTS #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/1ctMlGB0IU
— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 20, 2021
This is the first time in 150 years that an outgoing president has not gone to the inauguration.
While Trump will not attend Biden’s inauguration, outgoing Vice President Mike Pence is expected to. Biden previously said of Trump not attending, “It’s a good thing, him not showing up.”
Inauguration Day will look different this year amid the coronavirus pandemic and two weeks after pro-Trump protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol. It will be largely virtual.