Donald Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president of the United States, will be inaugurated in Washington on Monday. It will take place on the same steps of the Capitol where he was first sworn in eight years ago. Before an expected huge crowd of Americans, Trump will take the oath again and complete his remarkable political comeback, The Guardian reports.
Where to watch the inauguration online
The entire inauguration ceremony will be a grand affair. The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee has already raised more than $170 million for the event. The top corporate donors are the world's five largest technology companies, each of which has contributed at least $1 million. Among them Microsoft, Google, Toyota, Ford and General Motors. Other major contributors include: pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
Flags at the Capitol, which were lowered to half-staff due to the death of the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, will be raised temporarily. Trump will take a brief 35-word oath on January 20, as stipulated in the US Constitution.
"I solemnly swear, "that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve and defend the Constitution of the United States," Donald Trump will declare, placing his hand on the Bible.
In addition, Trump will talk about several policy initiatives that he promised to implement immediately after taking office, including closing the southern border - the beginning of what he calls the largest deportation operation in US history, and pardoning the January 6 insurgents who are either imprisoned or facing trial.
Let us recall here that Trump has stated that he will act quickly to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine, although he recently extended his own timetable for resolving the conflict from one day to six months.
Also Chief Justice John Roberts and Vice President J.D. Vance will administer the oath. The solemn ceremony will begin at 19:00 Kyiv time. The CSPAN YouTube stream is available in many parts of the world. Or you can watch it on the White House website, which will provide a broadcast available worldwide.
High-ranking guests and tech giants
Invited to the inauguration as guests of honor on the podium are: CEO of TikTok Show Zi Chu, CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Amazon Jeff Bezos and CEO of X and Tesla Elon Musk. The ceremony will also be attended by former presidents and possibly some foreign leaders.
All living former US presidents are expected to attend the event: Barack Obama, although Michelle Obama refused, Joe and Jill Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and George W. Bush and Laura Bush.
Trump's team has sent invitations to several foreign leaders, including the Chinese president Xi Jinping. And also to President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, to Argentine President Javier Milley. Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Democrat from California Nancy Pelosi announced that she will not participate in the inauguration.
The U.S. Capitol Police are expecting about a quarter of a million ticketed visitors and thousands of protesters, along with 25 law enforcement and military personnel.
They will celebrate for three days.
Interestingly, Mark Zuckerberg, along with billionaire Trump supporters, are organizing a pre-inauguration party for Trump. Several parties will be held at Trump's golf club in Virginia, which will include Saturday's fireworks display.
The ceremony will take place on Sunday. laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Inauguration Day begins with a morning church service at St. John's Cathedral, followed by the traditional tea with the Bidens at the White House.
After the afternoon swearing-in, Trump will participate in his first official activities in the presidential suite at the Capitol. Three official inaugural balls will be held on Monday evening: the Commanders-in-Chiefs Ball for military personnel, the Freedom Ball, and the so-called Starlight Ball for sponsors. The festivities will conclude on Tuesday with the National Prayer Service.
Interesting facts about Trump
Trump is the oldest person in history to become president at age 78. He is five months older than Biden was when he was sworn in in 2021.
Trump is only the second president in history to return to office for a second term after being defeated. The other was Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th president, who regained the White House in 1893, defeating Benjamin Harrison.