As Donald Trump’s inauguration nears, some Washington DC residents are opting to leave the city, seeking refuge from what they describe as “hostile negative energy.”
With just two days until Trump takes office, many locals are planning to avoid the event altogether.
Alejandra Whitney-Smith, a long-time DC resident, has chosen to spend the inauguration weekend in a secluded, technology-free cabin to distance herself from the city. “It coincides with my birthday, which I usually celebrate here. But after the election, I knew I couldn’t stay,” Whitney-Smith told The Guardian.
She views Trump’s presidency as emblematic of an America many would rather not confront. Reflecting on the January 6 Capitol riots – an event her mother witnessed while working at the Library of Congress – she described the lingering fear and discomfort she associates with Trump’s influence.
Many residents, like Tia Butler, are similarly unsettled. The memory of the January 6 riot and encounters with pro-life demonstrators after the 2020 election have left her reluctant to remain in DC during the inauguration festivities.
Butler expressed frustration over what she sees as a reflection of deep societal divides. “It feels like the country would rather have a criminal in office than a person of color or a woman,” she said, referencing the challenges faced by candidates like Kamala Harris.
While some residents flee, others are gearing up to celebrate. DC hotels were 70% booked by Wednesday, with rooms fetching between $900 and $1,500 per night. Conservative and Republican supporters have shown enthusiasm for the event, underscoring the contrasting emotions surrounding Trump’s inauguration.
Despite the excitement among his supporters, Trump’s relationship with Washington DC has been fraught. He has publicly criticised the city, calling it a “filthy and crime-ridden embarrassment to our nation,” and has proposed radical changes, including recruiting Elon Musk to overhaul the federal workforce.
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