Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, is set to return to office as the 47th president. His inauguration ceremony in Washington on Monday will take place on the same Capitol steps where he first took the oath of office eight years ago.
Trump will once again become the leader of the USA, marking an extraordinary political comeback in front of a large gathering of supporters and protesters.
The inauguration will mark the peaceful transfer of power from President Joe Biden to Trump, who is re-entering the White House for a non-consecutive second term.
When is the inauguration and where will Trump take the oath of office?
The inauguration ceremony will be held at the US Capitol building on Monday, January 20. Vice President-elect JD Vance will take the oath of office first, followed by Donald Trump. The oaths are expected to take place around midday local time (5pm UK time).
In keeping with tradition, Chief Justice John Roberts of the Supreme Court will administer the presidential oath. Mr. Trump will raise his right hand and place his left hand on a Bible, typically held by the president’s spouse.
Mr Trump will then recite the following: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
This will be followed by Mr Trump’s first presidential address of his second term.
How to watch the inauguration?
In the United States, all major news networks will broadcast Donald Trump’s inauguration speech live, with coverage continuing throughout the day. CNN will begin its programming as early as midnight ET, while other major networks will start their coverage early in the morning. CBS, CSPAN, and PBS will also stream the event live on YouTube.
In the United Kingdom, the inauguration will air on BBC One and iPlayer starting at 3.30pm. Sky News, ITV, and Channel 4 will also provide live coverage. In Australia, all major free-to-air networks, including ABC, Seven, Nine, Ten, and SBS, will broadcast the ceremony live.
Coverage begins between 2.30am and 3.30am AEDT on Tuesday, depending on the channel. Live streams will also be available via their apps and on YouTube through ABC News 24.
For viewers worldwide, CSPAN’s YouTube stream offers access in many regions, and a live stream will also be available on the White House website.
Who will attend the inauguration?
The inauguration ceremony is set to bring together a mix of tech executives, former presidents, and possibly foreign leaders. Among the expected attendees are TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
All living former US presidents are expected to be present, including Barack Obama (though Michelle Obama has declined), Joe and Jill Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and George W. and Laura Bush.
Invitations have also been extended to several foreign leaders, such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Argentine President Javier Milei. Authorities estimate a crowd of around 250,000 ticketed guests at the event, along with thousands of protesters.
To ensure security, approximately 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel will be deployed, including the entire DC police force, 7,800 National Guard troops, and 4,000 officers from across the country.
Who will perform at the inauguration?
The musical lineup for the inauguration includes a blend of country, disco, and classical performances. Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood are set to perform during the swearing-in ceremony, while classical vocalist Christopher Macchio will sing the national anthem. Macchio expressed his “deep humility and gratitude” for the invitation in a post on X.
Evening celebrations will include Jason Aldean and the Village People performing at the Liberty Ball, Rascal Flatts at the Commander in Chief Ball, and Gavin DeGraw at the Starlight Ball.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Kid Rock are scheduled to take the stage during Sunday’s MAGA rally. Additionally, the inaugural committee has teased a “surprise musical guest” for the Liberty Ball, though further details have not been disclosed.
Full schedule for the inauguration
The Trump-Vance inaugural celebrations are set to begin on Saturday with a reception and fireworks display at Trump’s golf club in Virginia. This will be followed by a Cabinet reception and a vice-president’s dinner.
On Sunday, events will include a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a “victory rally” at Capital One Arena, concluding with a candlelight dinner.
Inauguration Day on Monday will start with a morning church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, followed by the traditional tea with the Bidens at the White House. After the noon swearing-in ceremony, President Trump will carry out his first official duties in the President’s Room at the Capitol.
He will then attend a congressional luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, review the troops on the East Front steps, and lead a ceremonial procession featuring military regiments and marching bands down Pennsylvania Avenue.
The day will conclude with an Oval Office signing ceremony and speeches at three inaugural balls. The festivities will wrap up on Tuesday with a National Prayer Service.
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