Trump Inauguration highlights: President Trump eyes 10% tariff on Chinese imports starting next month

French Prime Minister François Bayrou cautioned on Monday that France and Europe must stand firm against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, or risk being “crushed.”

During a New Year’s address in Pau, Bayrou warned that Trump’s approach to global politics, including the dollar and U.S. industrial policies, could lead to Europe being dominated and marginalized. He emphasized the urgency for Europe to act in response to the U.S.’s growing influence.

(Reuters)

Indian government bond yields remained largely unchanged at the start of the week, as attention shifted to the U.S. presidential inauguration. The 10-year bond yield closed at 6.761% on Monday, slightly down from its previous close of 6.7653%.

With Donald Trump set to assume office later in the day, market participants are keenly observing his commentary on policies and tariffs. Meanwhile, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield remains above 4.60%.

Puneet Pal, head of fixed income at PGIM India Mutual Fund, noted that the narrative of “higher-for-longer yields” is gaining traction in advanced economies, driven by various structural challenges.

The US Senate has conducted over a dozen confirmation hearings, allowing nominees selected by Donald Trump for his administration to present their credentials.

As additional hearings for other candidates are planned in the coming days, here is an overview of Trump’s key picks for prominent positions:

(Al Jazeera)

Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy’s journey is a quintessential tale of ambition and achievement. Born to Indian immigrant parents, Ramaswamy is a double Ivy League graduate, holding degrees from Harvard and Yale. He carved a niche for himself in the biotech industry, founding Roivant Sciences, a pharmaceutical company lauded for advancing life-saving treatments.

Ramaswamy’s intellectual pursuits extend beyond science—he is also a prolific author. His bestselling book Woke, Inc. takes aim at corporate activism, cementing his status as a leading conservative voice. His sharp critiques of modern corporate culture and bold policy ideas captured national attention during his 2024 presidential campaign, positioning him as a dynamic figure in American politics.

Read More: The Indian American man who took on Trump and then became a confidante

Carrie Underwood might not be Beyoncé or Garth Brooks in the celebrity superstar ecosystem. But the singer’s participation in President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration is nevertheless a sign of the changing tides, where mainstream entertainers, from Nelly to The Village People are more publicly and more enthusiastically associating with the new administration.

Eight years ago, Trump reportedly struggled to enlist stars to be part of the swearing-in and the various glitzy balls that follow. The concurrent protest marches around the nation had more famous entertainers than the swearing-in, which stood in stark contrast to someone like Barack Obama, whose second inaugural ceremony had performances from Beyonce, James Taylor and Kelly Clarkson and a series of starry onlookers.

There were always some celebrity Trump supporters, such as Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan, Jon Voight, Rosanne Barr, Mike Tyson, Sylvester Stallone and Dennis Rodman, to name a few. But Trump’s victory this time around was decisive and while Hollywood may always skew largely liberal, the slate of names participating in his inauguration weekend events has improved.

Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Village People and Lee Greenwood all performed at a MAGA style rally Sunday. Those performing at inaugural balls include the rapper Nelly, country music band Rascal Flatts, country singer Jason Aldean and singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw.

(Associated Press)

On the eve of his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump hosted a fiery campaign-style rally in a freezing Washington, turning the stage into a celebration of his victory with supporters. The event offered a glimpse into Trump’s immediate plans as he takes office.

Trump signaled that his first day as president will be marked by a flurry of executive orders aimed at delivering on his campaign promises. These actions are expected to address border security, mass deportations, a rollback of government diversity initiatives, pardons for defendants in the January 6 Capitol attack, an aggressive push to expand oil and gas production and the replacement of thousands of career government employees.

He pledged to repeal “every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration” within hours of assuming the presidency, framing his agenda as a mandate from the American people.

While the rally featured Trump’s trademark enthusiasm, it was notable for its absence of sharp personal attacks against his predecessor, a departure from his usual rhetoric. Observers speculate this could be a preview of a more measured tone in his inaugural address.

Read More: 5 Key Moments from Trump’s D.C. rally on the eve of his second inauguration

The U.S. dollar stumbled while Bitcoin surged to an all-time high on Monday, hours before Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president. Investors are bracing for potential policy announcements that could have immediate implications for the greenback and the broader financial landscape.

Bitcoin hit a record $109,071.86 during the session and was last trading up 4.2% at $108,025, buoyed by softer U.S. inflation data and growing expectations of multiple Federal Reserve rate cuts. These factors have recently bolstered risk assets, including the world’s largest cryptocurrency.

Trading activity was lighter than usual due to the U.S. markets being closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but the crypto market saw robust momentum.

Trump, who has openly embraced cryptocurrency, has promised to be a “crypto president.” His administration is expected to issue executive orders aimed at promoting widespread adoption of digital assets, signaling a significant shift in federal crypto policy.

Donald Trump‘s latest venture into cryptocurrency is making waves. His newly launched digital token, dubbed $TRUMP, skyrocketed to nearly $12 billion in market value on Monday, raking in billions in trading volume. The surge comes just hours before the President-elect’s return to the White House and as bitcoin reaches an all-time high.

Unveiled on Friday, the $TRUMP meme coin surged to $58.56 by 0820 GMT on Monday, securing its position as the 18th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, according to CoinMarketCap. The token generated an impressive 24-hour trading volume of $52.5 billion, showcasing massive investor interest and market excitement.

Trump’s digital token comes with bold branding, including imagery tied to a July assassination attempt he survived. This move adds to his growing cryptocurrency portfolio, which already includes World Liberty Financial. The $TRUMP coin’s website reveals that 80% of its total supply is controlled by two entities: CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of The Trump Organization, and Fight Fight Fight LLC.

While the official menu for the 2025 inaugural luncheon remains under wraps, tradition offers a hint of what may be served. Inaugural meals typically blend luxury and regional flavors, honoring both the grandeur of the occasion and the president’s personal tastes. Past menus have included a variety of refined dishes, from Maine lobster and Gulf shrimp to hearty steaks, paired with desserts that range from classic American treats to artistic confections.

Given Donald Trump’s well-known preference for simple yet classic American fare, it’s likely the menu will lean towards robust staples like steak, seafood or other traditional dishes.

If history repeats itself, the 2025 menu could once again reflect Trump’s affinity for uncomplicated yet indulgent flavors while celebrating the rich American culinary diversity.

The 2025 inaugural luncheon, traditionally a gathering of past presidents and political leaders, will see some high-profile absences. Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W Bush have all confirmed they will not attend the post-ceremony event.

While both Obama and Clinton declined their invitations, reports suggest that Bush’s office was not aware of any invitation being extended. Adding to the list of absentees is Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and First Lady, who also turned down the invitation, according to reports.

However, all three former presidents will uphold tradition by attending the swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day. Notably, Michelle Obama will be absent from both the luncheon and the swearing-in ceremony, though no official explanation has been provided.

Washington is set to experience biting cold on Monday, with temperatures hovering around 19°F (-7°C) and low wind chills, according to the weather forecast. In response, President-elect Donald Trump has made alternative arrangements for his supporters to witness the historic day in comfort.

A live broadcast of the inauguration ceremony will be screened at the Capital One Arena, a downtown Washington venue that can accommodate up to 20,000 people. Trump’s team has also decided to move the traditional presidential parade, typically held along Pennsylvania Avenue, to the arena. However, details about the parade’s format remain unclear.

Trump has assured his supporters that he will join them at the arena after taking the oath of office. Additionally, a rally is scheduled at the same venue on Sunday evening, offering a chance for Trump to address his followers ahead of his inauguration.

The US is going to have its first Indian-American second lady – Usha Vance. A Telugu by birth, Vance is also a highly accomplished lawyer, devoted mother, and supportive wife to Vice President-elect JD Vance. As she steps into the public eye alongside her husband, Usha’s background and professional journey reveal her deep intellectual roots, strong cultural heritage, and unwavering commitment to her family.

US Vice President-elect JD Vance’s wife, is the daughter of Indian immigrants who trace their roots to Andhra Pradesh. Born and brought up as Usha Chilukuri in San Diego, California, her family originates from Vadluru village, in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

Read More: Usha Vance: Telugu Indian-American Second Lady, All you want to know

As President Donald J Trump embarks on his second term, attention is turning to the prominent roles Indian-Americans are playing in his administration. This development underscores the rising influence of the Indian-American community in shaping US politics and policy.

Spanning critical areas like civil rights, national security and advanced technology, these appointments reflect a strategic push to integrate diverse perspectives and global expertise into the fabric of American governance. By tapping into the achievements of this community, the administration signals its commitment to fostering inclusive and forward-thinking leadership.

A look at the names:

Harmeet K. Dhillon

Vivek Ramaswamy

Kashyap “Kash” Patel

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya

Sriram Krishnan

Read more about them: Indian-Americans take center stage in Trump 2.0 team

Trump’s inauguration ceremony will begin at 12:00 pm EST, which is 10:30 pm IST. This inauguration is a rare event, as it marks only the second time in US history that a president, after losing a previous election, has made a successful return to win a second term. Stay with us for further updates.

Outgoing President Joe Biden, Former US President Barack Obama, Former US President George W. Bush, Former US President Bill Clinton will also attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony that is to held tonight, January 20.

Some of world’s billionaires and tech CEOs will also be seen in attendance at Trump’s inauguration ceremony. These include Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, TikTok CEO Shou Chew, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong.

India‘s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India in Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the inauguration, and instead, China’s Vice President Han Zheng will represent Beijing. Argentina President Javier Milei, Ecuador President Daniel Noboa, Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japan Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Reform UK Party leader Nigel Farage will also be in attendance.

Usually, the ceremony happens on a large outdoor stage on the Capitol’s West Lawn, but this year, it will be held indoors due to the ongoing cold weather. Trump will hence be sworn-in inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Donald Trump‘s inauguration ceremony. President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath as the 47th president of the United States today inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol. He has promised to use his presidential power to make big changes, including deporting millions of immigrants and shifting America’s role in the world. JD Vance, the incoming vice president, will also be sworn in. Stay with us for live updates from the oath-taking ceremony.