Hours before Joseph R. Biden Jr. took the presidential oath of office, President Trump offered one more made-for-TV moment.
A little past 8 a.m. on Wednesday, the cable news channels and major broadcast networks were trained on images of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, as it swooped past the Washington Monument and settled onto the South Lawn of the White House, preparing to spirit the image-conscious Mr. Trump away on one last ride.
“It is a stunning moment,” said CNN’s Jake Tapper, as cameras captured the president, in his trademark oversize red tie, and Melania Trump, in a jet-black Chanel ensemble, approaching the aircraft.
A Fox News anchor called the first lady’s outfit “a very Audrey Hepburn look.”The aerial view seen on every major network originated from a camera perched at the top of the Washington Monument.
It provided a rare and dramatic tableau that would not have been out of place in the opening credits of “The Apprentice,” complete with sunshine reflecting off the surface of Marine One as it lifted into the sky, the soon-to-be-ex-president in tow.
Persons:
Joseph R, Biden, Trump, ”, Jake Tapper, Melania Trump, Audrey Hepburn
Organizations:
Washington, White, Fox News