Donald Trump took the oath of office for his second term as President of the United States in a historic indoor inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC. The decision to move indoors was prompted by frigid weather, marking the first indoor inauguration in 40 years. Throngs of Trump supporters had to find alternative ways to witness the event, as access to the Rotunda was limited. Vice President JD Vance was sworn in first, using a Bible handed down from his great-grandmother.
The ceremony drew significant attention, not only for its unusual setting but also for the distinguished attendees. Billionaires and tech moguls, including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, and Sundar Pichai, were given prominent positions within the Rotunda. Elon Musk, the world's richest man, was present as well, signaling his new role as an adviser to President Trump with plans to reduce spending and federal workforce numbers.
During his swearing-in, Trump used both a family Bible and the one that belonged to President Abraham Lincoln in 1861. In his inaugural address, Trump re-emphasized his grievances against political adversaries and outlined ambitious plans for his administration. He vowed to "liberate" the country from a "radical and corrupt establishment" and declared that government faced a "crisis of trust."
“Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced” – Donald Trump
Trump unveiled a series of executive actions intended to initiate what he described as "the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense." This suite of orders aims to reverse policies he claims have betrayed the nation. He promised to "give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom," asserting a mandate for sweeping change.
“From this moment on,” he added, “America’s decline is over” – Donald Trump
The President's speech was filled with promises of a brighter future and a renewed sense of national pride. He articulated his vision of an America that moves beyond its perceived decline with strong leadership and decisive action.
