Highlights from the first day of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration; what to expect from monday
President-elect Donald Trump second inauguration is just two days away, and excitement for the celebration is building throughout Washington, DC and across the country.
Celebrities and top business leaders are rallying around the incoming 47th President of the United States – a stark contrast to 2017’s inauguration ceremonies.
Trump won the 2024 presidential election by a landslide in November. He dominated both the electoral college and the popular vote to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris after a historic campaign cycle.
Since his landslide victory, the president-elect has drawn support from his traditional allies — including Republicans in Congress and Republican governors across the country — as he builds his incoming administration.
TRUMP WON THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Former President Donald Trump stands on stage with former first lady Melania Trump, right, as Lara Trump looks on at an election night party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
However, he was also embraced by top executives in the business world and Silicon Valley—individuals who were not particularly comfortable with Trump or his allies during and after his first administration.
Amazon’s Jeff BezosMeta’s Mark Zuckerberg and other tech leaders visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida throughout the transition period.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD PERFORMS ‘AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL’ AT TRUMP’S INAUGURATION
Tech billionaires including Jeff Bezos, left, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, right, have been supporting President-elect Donald Trump since his election day victory. (Getty Images)
Ahead of the inauguration, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook and executives from Google, Microsoft, Boeing, Ford Motor Co. and others, each invested at least a million dollars in the Trump inauguration fund – a total difference compared to the first Trump inauguration.
Trump will also have union leaders at his inauguration, representing the broad coalition of support he has seen since his victory, including International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O’Brien and members of the Firefighters Union.
TRUMP’S INAUGURAL FUND RECEIVES $1 MILLION DONATION FROM TARGET MARK ZUCKERBERG
People take their seats as a rehearsal begins on the west facade of the U.S. Capitol ahead of the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
Celebrities also come to the elections for the new president. Country music star and “American Idol” winner. Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” and will be joined by the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
Underwood’s performance will come just before Trump is sworn in for a second term.
Underwood will be joined during the swearing-in ceremony by opera singer Christopher Macchio, who is expected to perform the national anthem.
Carrie Underwood will perform at the second inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. (Denise Truscello)
Reports suggest other top musicians will be heading to Washington, DC for performances, including Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, the Village People and more.
Last time, Trump struggled to attract big-name endorsements and even high-profile entertainers for his inauguration in 2017. The entertainment lineup was tame compared to his predecessor, Inauguration of President Obama in 2013which included performances by Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson.
In addition, the 2017 inauguration weekend was also marred by protests across Washington, DC
Former President Barack Obama, center right, and then-President Trump share a laugh as former First Lady Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, left, watch the following inauguration ceremonies in which Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC , January 20, 2017. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
Protesters created chaos across the city ahead of Inauguration Day 2017, smashing glass windows and burning cars, with police arresting more than 200 people in protests that spanned several days.
However, Trump’s actual swearing-in on Capitol Hill and the parade to the White House went off without incident.
AVERAGE: HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS ARRESTED IN CONFLICTS ON INAUGURATION DAY
President Trump, left, is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, as his wife Melania holds a Bible, and with their children Barron, Ivanka, Erica and Tiffany on Friday, January 27, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC (Jim Bourg/Pool Photo via AP)
Despite the chaos, Trump, in his inaugural speechhe called for a “new national pride” that would heal divisions and demand unity.
However, the day after Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, several hundred thousand people from across the country gathered in the capital to protest his presidency in the “Women’s March on Washington.”
FLASHBACK: GUESTS OF ‘DEPLORABALL’ WERE WELCOME BY PROTESTERS IN A CHAOTIC SCENE
Many of the protesters were indeed women and were mostly peaceful compared to the demonstrators who had wreaked havoc in Washington, DC a few days earlier. The march moved from the National Mall to the streets, as the newly inaugurated president attended the National Prayer after waking up for the first time in the White House.
Celebrities like America Ferrera, Madonna, Ashley Judd, Cher, Katy Perry, Amy Schumer, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Michael Moore, Debra Messing, Patricia Arquette and others attended the march.
Protesters walk during the Women’s March on Washington, with the U.S. Capitol in the background, on January 21, 2017, in Washington, DC. A large crowd attends an anti-Trump rally the day after President Trump was sworn in as America’s 45th president. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Madonna said during that protest that she “thought a lot about blowing up the White House.”
However, Trump’s second inauguration is expected to be a celebration – the official inauguration weekend will begin with a huge fireworks display on Saturday night.
On Sunday, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and a “Make America Great Again” rally, where Trump will deliver a speech, followed by a candlelight dinner.
it’s monday Inauguration Daywhen Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will participate in the swearing-in ceremony; say “goodbye” to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris; participate in the presidential signing ceremony on Capitol Hill; and lead the presidential parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
President Trump waves as he walks near the White House during the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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The president will then attend three official inaugural balls and is expected to deliver a speech at each.
“President Trump is committed to uniting the country through his America First agenda,” said Trump Vance, Inc. Inaugural Committee Co-Chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler. “The 2025 inauguration celebrations will reflect the historic return of President-elect Trump to the White House and the decisive vote of the American people to make America great again.”
