Donald Trump will be sworn in as President of the United States for the second time on Monday in a crowning moment for one of the greatest comebacks in political history.
The 78-year-old will take the Oath of Office in the heart of Washington D.C. with wife and First Lady Melania Trump by his side to officially become the nation’s 47th commander-in-chief.
With the eyes of the world on the Capitol, he will get back the keys to the White House after an unprecedented campaign that saw two attempts on his life and a historic election victory over Kamala Harris.
Eight years ago, he came into Washington, D.C. as an outsider and was a shock to the system for a city used to career politicians.
Now he arrives with more power and with his popularity on the rise, marked by the billionaire tech titans who will be behind him: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
Trump’s loyal, unflinching MAGA fans have taken over the streets of the capital, with a sea of red hats and American flags at every turn.
They were rewarded on Sunday with a glimpse of the victorious president-elect at his celebratory rally, where he simply told them: ‘we won.’
After the crowd watched performances from Kid Rock and a speech from Hollywood actor Jon Voight, Trump said: ‘People are happy. It’s been a long time. None of this could have been possible without you.’
He celebrated winning the popular vote, sweeping the seven battlegrounds and the seismic shift in support in all 50 states in his defeat over Harris.
Trump took the stage after his grandchildren said the pledge of allegiance and sons Eric and Don Jr. and granddaughter Kai warmed up the audience of his MAGA faithful.
The rally offered a glimpse into the inauguration, which is to be held indoors after a polar vortex heading for the Northeast United States forced a last-minute change of plans.
Security will be tight and troops will line the streets, but the jubilation and vindication for Trump’s followers will be evident everywhere.
He and Melania will enjoy a tea and coffee reception at the White House hosted by the Biden’s at 9.40am ahead of the inauguration, and they will all travel together into the Capitol at 10.25am.
At noon, he will place his hand on a handpicked Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States in front of a select audience of just 600 people in the Capitol Rotunda.
The festivities will then move to the Capitol One Arena – where less than 24 hours ago he held his victory rally – for the inaugural parade and his speech laying out plans for his next four years in office.
He is expected to tell the millions watching that he will return the United States to its glory days after President Joe Biden’s administration.
The speech will likely include a preview of his ambitious agenda for his first 24 hours in office, including mass deportations of migrants nationwide and sweeping pardons for January 6 rioters.
In the evening, he will swap his suit for a tuxedo for the three inaugural balls – where he will dance with Melania Trump after guests watched musical acts like The Village People perform.
As the celebrations draw to a close, Trump has vowed to jump straight into work mode.
He is expected to sign some 200 executive orders on Monday – his first day back in office after four years.
Fox News reported Sunday that the executive orders will focus on border security, energy, cost of living reductions and ending DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion – programs throughout the federal government.
He will also visit Los Angeles on Friday in the wake of the devastating wildfires which tore through the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and the hinterland regions of Pasadena and Altadena, tragically costing at least 27 lives and razing at least 12,300 structures.
Trump said he’s praying for the survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires and will help rebuild the city ‘more beautiful’ than ever before.
The rally occurred as:
Trump also mentioned plans to help North Carolina hurricane survivors get ‘rocking and rolling,’ arguing they’ve been ‘treated very badly as a state.’
Trump’s ‘retribution’ tour will also begin immediately, as he attempts to yank the security clearances from the 51 intelligence officials who said in 2020 that Hunter Biden’s laptop was likely a Russian disinformation campaign.
The incoming president will also try to rename the Gulf of Mexico – to the Gulf of America – and establish biological sex definitions, after Republicans went after transgender Americans during the 2024 campaign cycle.
During his rally, he repeated comments he often used in his campaign, criticizing Biden’s term as a ‘failed administration’ and promising to ‘end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment.’
‘Tomorrow, at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline and we begin a brand-new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride,’ he told supporters.
But he’s also already celebrating victories which he say would not have occurred if he weren’t coming back into office this week – namely the reversal of the TikTok ban and the ceasefire in Gaza.
Trump initiated the TikTok ban back in 2020 amid concerns the company was sharing Americans’ personal info with the Chinese government.
But fast forward to 2025 when the ban actually did come into effect – Trump said he has ‘a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,’ crediting the app with helping him win over young voters in the 2024 election.
‘As of today, TikTok is back,’ he told crowds at his rally.
‘Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it. A lot of jobs. We don’t want to give our business to China. We don’t want to give our business to other people.’
Trump suggested he would use his leverage to seek a joint venture in which the U.S. government owns half of the company without putting up any money.
‘So whether you like TikTok or not, we’re going to make a lot of money,’ Trump said.
And speaking of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza, Trump said: ‘We achieved more without being president than they achieved in four years with being president.’
Biden has also taken credit for the deal.
Elon Musk was among speakers at the flashy rally, taking the stage with his son, X Æ A-12, and embracing Trump.
The billionaire threw his hands in the air as the crowd cheered, celebrating the victory which he predicted and rooted for throughout the campaign.
Musk was an outspoken Trump supporter and generous donor throughout the campaign, and has been rewarded for his efforts with an appointment as the co-director of Trump’s DOGE initiative to dismantle parts of the federal government.
‘This victory is just the start, really,’ he told the amped-up crowd.
‘What matters going forward is to actually make significant changes, cement those changes and set the foundation for America to be strong for a century, for centuries, forever.’
On Biden’s first day as a former President, he will leave the Trumps at the Capitol and travel to Joint Base Andrews, where he is expected to ‘deliver remarks at a farewell event with staff,’ the White House said.
He and his wife Jill will travel to Santa Ynez, California to holiday – the same location they visited after Biden pulled out of the race to return as President in 2024.
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