US Inauguration: Donald Trump struggling to bring guests to his final send-off

When Donald Trump promised to turn his back on history and not appear at President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, he had his own celebration in mind.

A final Trump-sized farewell for a man who leaves the White House kicking and screaming, but in his own unique way.

The early morning goodbye at Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland will take place just hours before Biden’s moment, when he assumes the 46th position of the President of the United States.

Details of the ceremony suggest it will begin before dawn Wednesday, but a small detail in the official White House invitation hints that Trump might not get the crowd he expects.

“Up to five guests can RSVP,” a leaked copy of the invitation reads. “RSVPs are required to attend the event.”

The White House press gallery is having a field day with the news.

CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins tweeted that former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci was one of those who received an invitation to the event.

Scaramucci was fired from the post after just 10 days on the recommendation of the president. He continued to express his support for Biden, even going so far as to endorse him.

Collins wrote that Scaramucci “says he was invited to President Trump’s farewell ceremony on Wednesday, which he takes as a sign that the White House is desperate to increase the guest list.”

She quoted Scaramucci as saying, “Trust me, it had to be a mass email if they sent me one of them.”

Wall Street Journal White House reporter Rebecca Ballhaus tweeted: “Some recipients have been surprised that the invitation offered them five guests.”

The Guardian reports that Trump had wanted a 21-shot salute, but senior Pentagon officials said a military farewell was not planned.

Trump becomes the fourth president in history to skip the inauguration in favor of his own farewell party.