Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States was relocated indoors on Monday, January 20, due to an intense winter storm that blanketed much of the country. The decision to move the event inside was made after weeks of speculation about the bitter cold and unpredictable weather patterns.
The ceremony, originally planned to take place on the steps of the Capitol, was hastily rearranged, shifting decades of tradition. Despite this setback, the day unfolded with numerous memorable moments that will be etched in the annals of history.
In a surprising move, outgoing President Joe Biden, who had been conspicuously absent from Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, attended the ceremony. His presence marked a return to the long-standing tradition of peaceful transitions of power, though the day was anything but peaceful in tone.
Trump, never one to shy away from controversy, used his inaugural address to launch a scathing critique of the previous administration. Standing before a crowd of dignitaries and media, he labeled Biden’s tenure as a period of “betrayal” by a “radical and corrupt establishment.”
“From this moment on, America’s decline is over,” Trump declared, igniting both applause and murmurs of astonishment. His remarks were a stark departure from the typical conciliatory tone expected in inaugural addresses, setting the stage for a presidency that promises to be as unconventional as his last.
The day wasn’t without its lighter, albeit awkward, moments. As Trump attempted to share a celebratory kiss with his wife, Melania, her wide-brimmed hat inadvertently blocked his attempt. The couple ended up sharing an air kiss, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.
One commentator on X (formerly Twitter) quipped, “I’ve just realized why Melania is wearing that wide-brimmed hat – it made it impossible for Trump to land his attempted kiss. Smart woman.”
The scene, captured from multiple angles, highlighted the lighter side of an otherwise tense day and became a symbol of the sometimes surreal nature of modern political theater.
The inauguration audience was a testament to the close ties between politics and business, with numerous Silicon Valley titans in attendance. The likes of Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, Tim Cook, and Elon Musk sat among Washington’s elite, underscoring the significant influence of tech billionaires on contemporary politics.
Social media commentators quickly calculated the combined wealth of the billionaires present, estimating their net worth at around $1 trillion—comparable to the GDP of Switzerland. Their presence sparked debates about the growing confluence of money and political power in America.
Another unusual moment occurred when Trump took the presidential oath. Traditionally, presidents place their hand on a Bible or the Constitution. However, Trump raised his right hand for the oath while keeping his left arm at his side, foregoing the customary gesture of placing his hand on a sacred text.
Standing beside him, Melania Trump held both a Trump family Bible and the historic Lincoln Bible, which had been used by Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and later by Barack Obama. Despite this, Trump’s decision to omit this symbolic gesture left many puzzled.
Legal scholars were quick to point out that the Constitution does not mandate the use of a Bible or any other religious text during the oath. The charter simply requires presidents to declare fealty to the Constitution “by oath or affirmation,” without specifying any particular protocol for hand placement.
The event drew a crowd of political heavyweights and celebrities alike. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama attended, lending a sense of continuity to the proceedings. They were joined by former Vice Presidents Mike Pence and Dan Quayle, each representing different eras of American politics.
Podcaster Joe Rogan, a vocal supporter of Trump during the election, also made an appearance, sitting prominently among the VIPs. His presence was seen as a nod to the influential role of alternative media in shaping public opinion during the campaign.
However, the absence of notable figures such as Michelle Obama and Nancy Pelosi did not go unnoticed. Both had attended Trump’s 2017 inauguration but opted out of this year’s ceremony, signaling a continued rift in the political landscape.
Karen Pence, wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, also skipped the event. Her absence was particularly noteworthy given her recent public snub of Trump at Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
