What time is Donald Trump’s inauguration today and how to watch in the UK
Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated today as the US’s 47th president today, completing what has been deemed the greatest political comeback in American history.
Trump has been vocal on his plans and even spoken to foreign leaders since winning the November election. His team had been working with the outgoing Biden administration, which has promised a smooth transition.
‘January 20th cannot come fast enough! Everybody, even those that initially opposed a Victory by President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Administration, just want it to happen,’ wrote Trump on his Truth Social platform on Friday morning.
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‘It is my obligation to protect the People of our Country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself.’
What time is Donald Trump’s inauguration in the UK?
The 60th Inauguration Day will take place at the US Capitol on Monday, January 20, which coincides with Martin Luther King Jr Day. Trump’s swearing-in ceremony will start at 12pm EST – approximately 5pm in the UK.
Why is Donald Trump’s inauguration indoors?
The ceremony was planned for the West Front of the US Capitol, but Trump on Friday announced it will moved indoors due to freezing temperatures forecast in the low 20s Fahrenheit. He will be the first president to be inaugurated in the Capitol Rotunda since Ronald Reagan in 1985.
‘There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way,’ Trump wrote.
‘It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).’
How to watch Donald Trump’s inauguration on TV in the UK?
All the major American news networks will broadcast the inauguration including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC, as well as the C-SPAN.
Most major UK broadcasters like Sky News and BBC are also highly likely to take the inauguration live, as it happens.
How to watch Donald Trump’s inauguration online
Viewers in the UK and around the world can watch through livestreams, including USA Today’s on YouTube below.
What happens on Inauguration Day?
Inauguration Day is a once-ever-four-years event when the president-elect, Trump, and vice-president-elect, JD Vance, are sworn in. Incoming President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to have tea at the White House with their outgoing counterparts Joe and Jill Biden and the sitting president traditionally escorts them to the Capitol.
Trump will take the presidential oath and deliver an inaugural address.
An official farewell to the Bidens will take place and the ceremonial departure typically happens via helicopter.
Then the president will partake in a signing room ceremony, a Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) congressional luncheon, a military troops review, a presidential parade and an Oval Office singing ceremony. Lastly, Trump will give remarks at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.
Who will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration?
Trump, his wife and family are expected to be with him for his second inauguration. All living former presidents and first ladies are set to attend including the Bidens, Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and George W and Laura Bush – with the exception of former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Foreign leaders who have been invited include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Argentinian President Javier Milei, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, though their attendance have not been confirmed.
Three billionaires in technology will be there: Tesla CEO and X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
In addition to Michelle, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she will not attend.
Who is performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration?
Numerous artists across musical genres are scheduled to perform on Inauguration Day.
‘Some of our nation’s most iconic musicians will be participating in the inauguration celebrations,’ stated the committee overseeing the events.
‘This monumental weekend will commemorate President Trump’s historic victory and the 60th Presidential Inauguration with a celebration of music, unity, and patriotism, ushering in America’s new Golden Age.’
Below is a list of all artists and where they will perform:
- Swearing-in ceremony: Country star Carrie Underwood will sing America the Beautiful, opera tenor Christopher Macchio will sing The Star-Spangled Banner and country singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood will perform God Bless the U.S.A.
- The Liberty Ball: The Village People behind Trump’s favorite rally song Y.M.C.A., country singer Jason Aldean and a surprise guest.
- The Commander-in-Chief Ball: The country band Rascal Flats and country singer-songwriter Parker McCollum.
- The Starlight Ball: Country singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw.
How to get tickets for Trump’s inauguration?
The JCCIC has printed more than 220,000 colour-coded tickets and distributed them to Congress members, who are to hand them to constituents.
In addition, the Trump Vance Inaugural Committee has a ticket request form on its website allowing people to ask for one or two.
The tickets are free and in high demand, but Fox 5 NY reported that some were being sold on Craigslist for $500 apiece.
‘Tickets are available for free and are not intended for sale or resale and are non-transferrable,’ a JCCIC representative told USA Today.