After leaving office, Biden visits his favorite California vacation spot.
Serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life, Biden said to a gathering of supporters.
After President Donald Trump's inauguration, Joe and Jill Biden left D.C. in a helicopter, with Marine One transporting them to Joint Base Andrews where the former president spoke to a crowd of supporters.
"I have been honored to serve as your president," Biden declared to the applauding audience before adding, "I love you all."
The former president and his wife flew to the Santa Ynez Valley in California for some personal time after finishing their brief comments.
Despite hopes of seeing Biden's plane land at Santa Barbara Airport, a "no-fly" notice in the airspace around Vandenberg indicated that the former president would land there, according to local outlet KEYT.
"According to Shelby Sim, President/CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, the former president visited the area last summer and is currently on his second visit in less than a year. Sim stated that there is a rumor that the former president is considering purchasing a home in the area, but emphasized that this visit is solely for relaxation and rest."
The Bidens visited the Santa Ynez Valley after the former president gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention, weeks after withdrawing from the 2024 election. They reportedly stayed with a "friend," billionaire donor Joe Kiani, according to the New York Post.
Kiani has given Biden's super PAC, foundation, and inaugural committee nearly $3 million, according to House Republicans who have raised concerns about their relationship. Meanwhile, in September 2021, Kiani was appointed by Biden to sit on his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which advises the executive branch on policy matters related to Kiani's medical tech business, Masimo. Since Biden took office in January 2021, Masimo has received nearly $3 million in federal contracts, according to Republicans.
The Bidens reportedly stayed at Kiani Preserve, an 8,000-acre estate owned by a billionaire donor, during their last visit to the area after the then-president dropped out of the race in August.
The Bidens have not yet made public their plans for where they will go after leaving the White House. The former president has two homes in Delaware, but it is unclear if either will be their home base post-presidency. If the rumor about settling on the West Coast is true, the Bidens could choose to live there.
Planet Chronicle Digital's Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
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