Inauguration Day for President-elect Donald Trump is on the horizon and is expected to be a day for the peaceful transfer of power of the highest office in the United States.
Before Trump can start his plans of what he hopes to accomplish in his first days back in the Oval Office, including hittingMexico, Canada and China with import tariffsandpardoning Jan. 6 rioters, he will have the eyes of the nation on him as he takes the oath of office for the second, and final, time. But this inauguration will be a bit different thanks to a blast of Arctic air that is expected to hit a majority of the United States starting this weekend.
Trump inauguration moved indoors due to extreme cold
On Friday, the president-elect announced that the inauguration will be held indoors due to the extreme cold that Washington, D.C., will be facing on Monday. Here's what Trump wrote about the change in venue:
"The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows. There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country. I don't want to see people hurt, or injured in any way."
"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!).
"Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather."
While traveling to Washington, D.C. for the pomp and circumstance on Inauguration Day may not be in the plans or were put on hiatus because of the extreme weather, you can watch it live several different ways. Here's what to know.
When does Trump take office 2025?
Trump will take the oath of office for his second,and final, term as president on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
The 20th Amendment to the U.S. The Constitution sets the date for Inauguration Day. Each elected president begins their term at noon on Jan. 20, the year after an election.If Jan. 20 falls on a Sunday though, it will be the next day.
Where can I watch Trump's inauguration?
The swearing-in ceremony takes place at 12 p.m. ET at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., according to theJoint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. But even with the noon schedule, major media outlets will start coverage early Monday morning. Here's some of the schedules:
CNN: The news outlet's schedule of coverage hasn't been released yet, but it does have general inauguration coverage scheduled from 12 a.m. ET Monday until 4 a.m. ET Tuesday.
NBC, MSNBC: Inauguration Day starts with a special edition of the "Today" show, live from Washington, D.C. at 7 a.m. ET. Then, Lester Holt and Savannah Guthrie are scheduled to anchor live coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET. On MSNBC, Rachel Maddow will anchor live coverage of the inauguration starting at 10 a.m. ET, and will be joined by pundits including Joy Reid, Chris Hayes and Jen Psaki.The news network will have coverage starting at 5 a.m. ET and through out the day.
ABC: The coverage for the day starts at 7 a.m. ET with aspecial edition of “Good Morning America" David Muir will take over coverage starting at 9 a.m. ET. The special will include Trump’s visit to Capitol Hill, the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address, the signing ceremony in the Oval Office, and the inauguration parade, per ABC.
Fox News: Will start off with their early morning show "Fox & Friends First," at 4 a.m. ET and will have coverage continuing for the morning until 11:30 a.m. ET with the "Inauguration of Donald Trump," until 5 p.m. ET.
CBS: No schedule of coverage has been released yet.
Will Trump's presidential inauguration 2025 be on YouTube?
You can watch it live via USA TODAY's YouTube below.
Where to watch Trump's Victory Rally in Washington, D.C.?
Before being sworn in as president, Trump will take one last victory lap in the form of another rally.
The Make America Great Victory Rally will be on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. ahead of Inauguration Day on Monday. The rally is expected to start at 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT, according to Trump's inauguration website. You can watch the rally below or here.
There will be multiple performances during the rally, many who made appearances at the Republican National Convention in 2024.
The Make America Great Again Victory Rally performers
- Singer-songwriter Kid Rock
- American disco band The Village People
- Singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus
- Lee Greenwood
- Liberty University’s Praise Choir
What are the scheduled events for Trump's inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20?
Leading up to his inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, Trump plans to attend multiple events with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Here's the schedule:
Monday, Jan. 20: Inaguration day
- St. John’s Church Service
- Tea at the White House
- Swearing-In Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol
- Farewell to the Former President and Vice President
- US Capitol Departure Ceremony
- The President’s Signing Room Ceremony
- JCCIC Congressional Luncheon
- The President’s Review of the Troops
- Presidential Paradedown Pennsylvania Avenue
- Oval Office Signing Ceremony at The White House
- Commander in Chief Ball
- Liberty Inaugural Ball
- Starlight Ball
Who will be at Trump's inauguration?
Former First Lady Michelle Obama announced on Thursday that she would not be attending the inauguration, but her husband former President Barack Obama will be there along with the other former presidents.
President Joe Biden said he would be there in December.
"Of course I am," Biden said in aninterview with the Meidas Touch network. "The only president ever to avoid an inauguration is the guy that's about to be inaugurated."
George W. Bush stated that he would be there and the Associated Press reported that Bill and Hillary Clinton will attend the inauguration as well.
Michelle Obama isn't the only one not planning on being at the inauguration either. Several high level Democrats have voiced that they would not be attending on Monday.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat and vocal Trump critic,told USA TODAY in December"I won't pretend to normalize who or what he stands for."
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also stated she wouldn't be attending, but did not give a reason why.
Other Democrats have stated during media interviews that they would be attending Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. events in their states and districts that day.
Who is performing at the Trump inauguration?
A list of celebrities have signed on to perform at Trump's inauguration on Monday. Here's a look at who will be performing, according to the Trump Vance inaugural camp.
- Carrie Underwood will be singing"America the Beautiful" at the swearing-in ceremony
- Christopher Macchio will sing the National Anthem
- Lee Greenwood
- Jason Aldean
- Parker McCollum
- Billy Ray Cyrus
- Kid Rock
- Rascal Flatts
- The Village People
- Gavin DeGraw
- Liberty University Praise Choir
