Fake Trump ‘swears oath alongside Melania’ in dress rehearsal days before inauguration ceremony for 47th President
PREPARATIONS are underway for Donald Trump’s historic inauguration ceremony with photos showing the full dress rehearsal.
An excited fake Trump alongside Melania and even a stand-in JD Vance have all been seen at the US Capitol taking a mock-up oath before the seismic event next week.
There are just a few days left before Trump, 78, officially reenters the White House as the 47th President of the United States – eight years on from his first inauguration.
The day has been long awaited since the Republican swept to a seismic election victory over Kamala Harris back in November.
The ceremony on January 20, is one of the biggest events in US history with security and organisation being of upmost importance.
Trump, seen as a decisive figure in global politics despite his big sweeping election win, will have the eyes of the world on the inauguration.
Leaving America determined to impress with the day and show off their patriotism on the grandest stage.
In order to achieve perfection officials have spent the day hosting a detailed dress rehearsal with stand-ins for all the big players coming to the event.
A giddy Master Sergeant Matthew Nall played the role of Trump with the real life president-elect’s wife Melania being played by Gunnery Sergeant Cecilia Koslowsky.
Models for Vice President JD Vance and his partner Usha were also used in Nate Buttram and Christine Lightner.
Outgoing president Joe Biden was strangely played by a woman at the event.
All four had big name tags on and played out the exact footsteps the real future US leaders will take next week.
Pictures show the fake Trump pretending to swear an oath alongside Melania.
He was seen holding up his right hand and placing his left on a bible that was being held by Melania.
John Roberts, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, is expected to administer the oath.
The stand-in then went on to give a speech to the almost empty Capitol in what would be his first presidential address of his second term.
It is expected to last over 15 minutes with the 2017 speech from Trump being around 17.
The pretend JD Vance was also seen accepting his new role as the VP.
Vance will be sworn in as the 50th Vice-President at the ceremony before Trump at around 12pm on the big day.
The event will include a swearing-in ceremony, a signing ceremony, an inaugural luncheon, a pass-in-review, a procession, and a parade.
Inaugural balls are held at various venues before and after the ceremonies.
The run through saw dozens of US officials all attend with many filling up the seats and the stands in the on the West Front of the Capitol.
Four giant US flags were all lowered in the backdrop of where Trump will officially take office with the iconic Capitol building right behind it.
Notable faces missing from the run through including three of the living US presidents in Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton.
As well as Reform leader Nigel Farage who has been going back and forth with Trump’s new best pal Elon Musk in recent days.
All five big names are set to be in attendance on January 20.
Several Democratic members of Congress have announced that they will not be attending the event in protest.
Musical performances are always a staple of the event with a marching band seen at the front of the rehearsals.
A string of celebrity performers are also typically seen at every inauguration but Trump’s team is yet to conform any names.
In 2016, he had America’s Got Talent star Jackie Evancho performed the national anthem and late country singer Toby Keith also appeared.
The inauguration ceremony has been backed by a huge influx of cash in recent days after aviation giants Boeing pledged to donate $1million to the event.
Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon are also set to make donations.
Car companies Ford, General Motors and Toyota have also donated a $1million each with energy company Chevron also giving to the fund.
US officials say they are expecting the day to run smoothly and as planned despite tensions in America being high.
But they are operating in a “heightened threat environment” due to the New Year’s terror attack in New Orleans and the Cybertruck bomber in Los Angeles.
Around 7,800 soldiers are being drafted in for security with thousands of federal agents, police and other law enforcement officials also on hand.
Trump’s big day comes after he was formally sentenced in his hush-money case on Friday but avoided any punishment.
This means he will be free to serve his second term in the White House despite being the first convicted felon to hold America’s highest office.
January 20 will be a huge day in US history with it being a national holiday as it falls on the same day as Martin Luther King Day.
Americans can expect most federal offices at a state and local level to be shut for the day, including post offices.
Delivery companies FedEx and UPS will have limited operations and the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ markets will be closed.
Banks and their branches will also be shut to honor MLK.
Most schools and colleges will also shut their doors, although this varies from state to state.
The event will be the re-inauguration of Trump, whose first was held in 2017.
This is only the second time in US history that the inauguration will be non-consecutive for a president.
In 1893, Grover Cleveland had his second inauguration non-consecutively.