MAGA fan traveled 2,700 miles to DC – but had to watch Trump on iPad

Brian Roy travelled from Seattle to be at the inauguration. (Image: Housnia Shams/Daily Express US)

Donald Trump’s second inauguration, moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to freezing weather, left many supporters unable to witness the event live.

Cross-country trips end in frustration

Brian Roy from Seattle and Alina Bacallao from California were among those who traveled thousands of miles, only to be forced to watch the ceremony on personal devices after public viewing areas filled to capacity.

Weather and security prompt changes

With temperatures near 22 degrees and concerns over safety, the indoor ceremony disrupted months of planning for large outdoor crowds on the National Mall.

Supporters adapt to changes

Despite disappointment, attendees like Rusty Spence from Atlanta supported the decision, citing the need for safety and comfort in extreme weather.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.