Donald Trump’s victory marks a significant milestone in the 235-year electoral history of the United States. Breaking a 132-year record, he has been re-elected for a second term.
Starting today, January 20 (Monday, local time), Trump officially begins his second term in the White House. Washington is alive with activity, and heightened security measures envelop the city to commemorate the inauguration of the 47th President.
Due to severe cold weather, the swearing-in ceremony is being held indoors at Capitol Hill. Breaking tradition, Trump has transformed his inauguration into a global stage.
Unlike previous inaugurations, which excluded foreign heads of state, Trump extended invitations this time. Over 220,000 tickets have been sold, and a post-ceremony dinner is priced at $1 million per ticket.
Trump secured his landslide victory on November 5, 2024, defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, a moment that will remain a landmark in U.S. political history. Trump first ascended to the presidency in 2016 by defeating Hillary Clinton.
Swearing-In to Take Place Inside the Capitol Building
Traditionally, U.S. presidential inaugurations are held outdoors every four years. However, this year the ceremony is taking place under unique circumstances. Due to extreme cold, the event will be held inside the Capitol Building’s Rotunda.
Trump himself announced the change on Friday, citing the weather conditions. According to the U.S. Weather Service, Washington’s temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing.
The indoor ceremony will limit the audience, as the Capitol Rotunda can only accommodate 20,000 guests. However, over 200,000 additional guests are expected to watch the event on large screens at the National Mall.
After taking the oath of office, Trump will travel from the Capitol to the White House in a grand parade. A special honor parade for Trump is also scheduled at the Capitol Rotunda.
This is not the first time such a move has occurred. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan also took his oath of office inside the Capitol Rotunda due to frigid temperatures, which had plunged to -25°C.
Swearing-In Ceremony
As per the U.S. Constitution, a new president’s term begins at noon on January 20, unless the date falls on a Sunday, in which case it starts the following day. Chief Justice John Roberts will administer Trump’s oath of office for the second time.
Following the oath, Trump will deliver his inaugural address at the Capitol, where he will outline his vision for his second term. This speech is highly anticipated both domestically and globally.
Trump’s 2017 inaugural address, titled “American Carnage,” sparked widespread controversy. This time, he has promised a bold and impactful message. Vice President J.D. Vance, newly elected alongside Trump, will also take his oath on the same stage.
Presence of Distinguished Guests
A standout feature of Trump’s inauguration is the attendance of prominent tech billionaires, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, among others, as VIP guests. Outgoing President Joe Biden, along with former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, will also be present.
While the spouses of other former presidents will attend, Michelle Obama will not. Trump’s 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, and current Vice President Kamala Harris are also expected to attend.
A Global Stage
Traditionally, U.S. inaugurations do not include foreign heads of state. However, Trump has invited Italy’s and Hungary’s right-wing leaders, Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orbán, respectively, as well as Argentina’s President Javier Milei and China’s President Xi Jinping.
Additionally, the Trump transition team has invited El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa. While it remains uncertain if Bukele will attend, Noboa is expected to make a brief visit to Washington for the ceremony. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has also received an invitation.
Executive Orders and Programs
On his first day in office, Trump plans to sign several significant executive orders. These include launching a large-scale immigrant deportation program, increasing oil extraction, and pardoning some supporters accused of participating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Trump has stated that he will sign multiple executive orders immediately upon taking office.
Cultural Events and Musical Performances
Unlike his 2017 inauguration, which saw limited celebrity appearances, this year’s event will feature many renowned artists. Country singer Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful,” while Lee Greenwood will sing his iconic “God Bless the U.S.A.”
At a pre-inaugural rally held on Sunday, Village People, Kid Rock, and Billy Ray Cyrus performed. Additionally, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, and Gavin DeGraw, among other stars, will perform at three gala events organized for the occasion.
Inaugural Dinner
On Sunday night, a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” was held at Washington’s Capital One Arena. Following the inauguration on Monday, a lavish dinner has been arranged, with ticket prices reaching as high as $1 million (approximately 121.4 million Bangladeshi Taka).
The dinner offers attendees the unique opportunity to dine with both the President and Vice President. Tickets are available in five categories, ranging from $50,000 to over $12 million for two exclusive tickets.
