As the world prepares to witness the second presidency of Donald Trump, the United States is gearing up for a spectacular display of pomp and circumstance. However, the unpredictable weather has forced organizers to make last-minute changes to the original plans.
The festivities are set to begin on Saturday, with a joint dinner party featuring Trump’s cabinet members and Vice President J.D. Vance. Trump himself will host a private reception at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, complete with a fireworks display. On Sunday, the President-elect will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and participate in a „MAGA Victory Rally” at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
The event will feature performances by the Village People, Elon Musk, Hulk Hogan, and actor Jon Voight, among others. According to reports, the „YMCA” hit has become an integral part of Trump’s rallies, and attendees can expect an electrifying atmosphere.
On Monday, the main inauguration day, the festivities will commence with an Anglican service at St. John’s Church, opposite the White House. Trump and his wife Melania will then meet with outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The highlight of the day will be Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, which will take place inside the Capitol Rotunda due to the freezing temperatures.
For the first time in 40 years, the ceremony will not be held on the steps of the Capitol building. This decision was made due to the expected -4°C temperature, with a wind chill factor of -13°C. Notably, this will be the first time foreign leaders, including Argentine President Javier Milei, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, will attend the ceremony.
Initially, the plan was to have the CEOs of top tech companies, such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the heads of Apple, Meta, Google, and TikTok, seated on the honorary platform. However, due to the weather, the stages and platforms constructed over three months were dismantled, and accreditation was withdrawn for most journalists.
Following the swearing-in ceremony and artistic performances, including a rendition by country star Carrie Underwood, Trump will deliver his inaugural address. The new President will then sign his first executive orders, including nominations for his cabinet members and over 100 presidential decrees, as promised by his team.
The rest of the program includes an inaugural lunch at the Statuary Hall in the Capitol building, where Trump will be joined by other dignitaries. Although former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush have declined invitations to the lunch, they will attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Due to the cold weather, the traditional inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue has been moved indoors to the Capital One Arena. This symbolic parade will take place inside the stadium, which is home to the Washington Wizards and Capitals teams. Trump will then proceed to the White House and enter the Oval Office for the first time as President.
The day will conclude with inaugural balls and numerous unofficial parties. Trump is expected to attend three of these events, with one of the most anticipated being hosted by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in collaboration with billionaire supporters of Republican campaigns and casino moguls Miriam Adelson and Tilman Fertitta.
With over 100 executive orders promised, the world is watching closely to see how Trump’s second presidency will unfold. Amidst the pomp and circumstance, one thing is certain – this inauguration will be a truly unforgettable event.
