Donald Trump set to appear in public for first time since presidential election loss

With the exception of visits to his golf club, Trump has remained at the White House since election day and last appeared before cameras six days ago

Instead, he has offered a barrage of tweets alleging unfounded claims of irregularities in voting in several battleground states that went for Joe Biden

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US President Donald Trump pictured with Vice-President Mike Pence, left, at an election night party – one of the last times he spoke in public. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 10:20pm, 11 Nov 2020Updated: 10:20pm, 11 Nov 2020

Donald Trump will emerge in public on Wednesday for the first time since his failed re-election bid, to take part in the Veterans Day observance at Arlington National Ceremony – an annual presidential rite.

Trump has spent the last several days holed up at the White House tweeting angry, baseless claims of voter fraud after his election loss.

He has made no public comments since President-elect Joe Biden surpassed the 270 electoral votes on Saturday needed to win the presidency. Instead, he has offered a barrage of postings on Twitter alleging unfounded claims of irregularities in voting in several battleground states that went for Biden.

Although his official schedule has been devoid of public events, Trump has made several personnel moves – firing his Defence Secretary Mark Esper and installing three staunch loyalists to top defence jobs. Meanwhile, his legal team has filed a barrage of lawsuits alleging fraud in the battleground states.

I just think it’s an embarrassment, quite frankly

US President-elect Joe Biden on Trump’s refusal to accept his election loss

The president’s resistance to acknowledging the outcome of the race has stalled the transition process as the head of the General Services Administration, a Trump appointee, has held off on certifying Biden as the winner of the election.

The certification – known as ascertainment – frees up money for the transition and clears the way for Biden’s team to begin putting in place the transition process at agencies.