President Donald Trump has assured supporters that his second inauguration as America’s 47th president will remain a spectacle despite a harsh winter storm disrupting plans. Initially set for the Capitol steps, the swearing-in ceremony has been moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to freezing temperatures, which are expected to plunge as low as -11°C (12°F).
A chilly forecast and altered celebrations
The bitter cold and snow flurries will prevent the estimated one million attendees from witnessing the event outdoors. Instead, they are encouraged to watch on television. Trump expressed regret over the shift in plans but emphasized safety: “I don’t want to see people hurt or injured in any way. Everyone will be safe, everyone will be happy, and we will, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
An arena party with a Trump twist
Following the swearing-in, the celebrations will move to the Capital One sports arena, which accommodates 20,000 people. The party will feature Big Mac hamburgers and commemorative Diet Coke bottles, embodying Trump’s trademark flair.
Melania’s style and symbolic touches
First Lady Melania Trump is set to wear an American designer for the day, with Carolina Herrera rumored as the frontrunner. For the evening’s official ball, she has designed her own gown. President Trump will take his oath of office on his Scottish mother’s Presbyterian Bible.
Rumors of a symbolic arrival
Adding a unique touch, Trump may eschew his armored Cadillac, “The Beast,” to travel partway to the arena in a white garbage truck—a nod to his campaign triumph over outgoing President Joe Biden.
A future parade for disappointed supporters
Acknowledging the cancellation of tomorrow’s outdoor march, Trump is considering a second inauguration parade in July to deliver the celebration his fans hoped for.
Biden’s family relieved by indoor plans
Outgoing President Joe Biden, 82, will attend the ceremony indoors, which his family views as a relief due to the frigid weather. A White House insider shared, “The idea of him sitting outside in the cold for hours worried everyone, particularly his wife. Now he can be safe and warm and will be able to be seated the whole time.”
