What to Expect on Donald Trump Inauguration Event: Donald Trump is set to take the oath of office for his second term on Monday, marking a remarkable political comeback. As is tradition, Inauguration Day will be filled with pomp and ceremony as one president leaves the White House and another moves in. However, Trump, a Republican, has also vowed to sign a series of executive orders on his first day, covering issues such as border security and energy production.
Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far about the upcoming event:
When is the inauguration?
Trump will be sworn in at 12 pm EST (1700 GMT), but due to the cold weather, the ceremony will take place inside the congressional complex rather than on the US Capitol steps. Afterward, Trump will deliver his inaugural address, which he has promised will be uplifting, a contrast to his first speech in 2017, which famously described America as experiencing “American Carnage.” Outgoing President Joe Biden is expected to attend, unlike Trump’s absence at Biden’s inauguration.
Invited guests
In a break from tradition, Trump has invited several foreign leaders to the ceremony. Notably, Argentina’s President Javier Milei has confirmed his attendance, while other leaders such as Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni are also expected. Despite invitations, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend, sending an envoy instead. High-profile American figures, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, are also set to attend.
Parade and celebrations
The parade that was originally planned to march down Pennsylvania Avenue has been relocated due to the weather and will now be held inside the Capital One Arena, Washington’s 20,000-seat sports venue.
Getting to work
Sources say Trump is preparing to sign a slew of executive orders on his first day, including measures to tighten immigration enforcement, enhance border security, and increase energy production. The actions are expected to include further pushes for building the U.S.-Mexico border wall and a series of pardons for those involved in the January 6 Capitol riots.
Parties and gatherings
Inaugural galas will take place across Washington over the weekend and on Monday, with Trump attending at least three. On the eve of his inauguration, he will hold a rally at Capital One Arena. This event is expected to draw many of Trump’s supporters to the city. A reception for billionaire donors will also be held on Monday, co-hosted by Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, casino mogul Miriam Adelson, and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta.
Financing the event
The official events are being financed by Trump’s inauguration committee, which has raised a reported $170 million for the occasion. This includes generous donations from tech moguls such as Bezos, Zuckerberg, Tim Cook and Dara Khosrowshahi, each contributing $1 million.