With just hours remaining before the inauguration of Donald Trump, 78, as the 47th President of the United States, anticipation is building.
On Monday, the Republican will place his left hand on two Bibles—one from his mother and another from Abraham Lincoln—while raising his right hand to take the oath of office. These 35 words will officially mark the beginning of “Trump II.”
Ceremony and Celebrations
Following the swearing-in, Trump will outline his initial plans in a speech. A congressional lunch and the traditional parade to the White House will follow, with Trump and First Lady Melania potentially walking part of the way along Pennsylvania Avenue.
This time, Team Trump has gathered an even larger roster of stars, including country icons Carrie Underwood and Billy Ray Cyrus, and rocker Kid Rock.
The Village People will perform their hit “Y.M.C.A.,” which became a MAGA anthem during Trump’s campaign. The celebrations will also highlight Trump’s political comeback and his survival of the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
And then there’s the garbage truck—a lingering symbol of a Biden gaffe and a Trump political win.
After comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s controversial remark about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally, Biden seemingly labeled all Trump supporters “garbage,” though the White House claimed he referred only to Hinchcliffe. The comment went viral.
The next day, Trump donned a neon vest and climbed into a garbage truck during a campaign stop in Wisconsin.
Now, that truck will roll through his inaugural parade.
Security and Weather Challenges
Washington has been fortified with extensive security, including 8,000 National Guard soldiers supporting the Secret Service. However, weather forecasts of -5°C and wind gusts make this the coldest inauguration in 40 years.
High-Profile Guests
The ceremony will be attended by political heavyweights, including outgoing President Joe Biden, 82, and former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.
Trump also extended invitations to international leaders, such as Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Germany’s AfD leader Tino Chrupalla, as well as prominent tech figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
Musk, a close advisor to Trump, is expected to draw significant attention.
A Bold Start in Office
After the inauguration, Trump plans an ambitious beginning with 100 executive orders. Priorities include closing the Mexico border, mass deportations, and sweeping changes in policies on vaccinations, energy, and economic regulation.
Symbolic Power Transfer
The “Nuclear Football,” containing the codes for the U.S. nuclear arsenal, underscores the immense power transfer between presidents.
Despite lingering controversies and high expectations, Trump aims to make a statement with his second term, setting the stage for a presidency designed to leave a lasting mark.
