Everything you need to know about Trump's inauguration
Donald Trump will officially assume as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 21 (Philippine time), marking his return to the White House.
A week after Trump was given an unconditional discharge—in which a conviction stands but without jail time, a fine or probation—over his criminal conviction stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, he will be inaugurated with a formal swearing-in ceremony, together with Vice President-elect J.D Vance.
The ceremony will be followed by musical performances, a celebratory parade, and a series of formal balls.
Prior to that, there will be events leading up to the swearing-in ceremony.
On Sunday, there will be a President’s Reception and Fireworks. A Cabinet Reception and Vice President’s Dinner will also be hosted.
The following day, Trump will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier and deliver remarks at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally at Capital One Arena later on. After that, Trump will speak later in the evening at the Candlelight Dinner.
Continue reading below to see what to expect on Tuesday morning.
What time is it?
The Inauguration Day coincides with a federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trump will take the oath of office at 12 p.m. EST (1 a.m. Philippine time) in front of the U.S. Capitol. The oath-taking will be administered by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Roberts.
Who is attending?
All living former presidents are expected to attend: Barack Obama (though Michelle Obama has declined), Joe and Jill Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and George W and Laura Bush.
While it is unusual to invite foreign leaders to presidential inaugurations due to security concerns, Trump has extended an invite to China's Xi Jinping. China said Vice President Han Zheng will attend instead.
Argentina president Javier Milei, Hungary's Viktor Orban, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have confirmed their attendance. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd will be at the swearing-in ceremony.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez will attend the ceremony on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Tech industry leaders Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg are also expected to arrive on Jan. 20.
What's going to happen?
Trump's inauguration day will begin with a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square.
Following this, outgoing President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will host a tea at the White House.
The official swearing-in ceremony for Trump and Vance will take place at noon on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, followed by Trump's inaugural address.
After the swearing-in, the new president will participate in the President's Room to sign key documents.
A Congressional Luncheon will then be held in the National Statuary Hall, followed by the President's review of the troops from the front steps of the Capitol.
The afternoon will conclude with the Presidential parade, which will travel down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
In the evening, the celebrations will continue with the Commander in Chief Ball at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, the Liberty Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton, and the Starlight Ball at the National Building Museum.
Who is performing?
During the swearing-in ceremony, country singer and former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood will sing America the Beautiful. She will be accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
Opera tenor Christopher Macchio will the national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, while Lee Greenwood—who sang God Bless the U.S.A.—will also perform.
Other artists who will perform at the balls are The Village People, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flats, Parker McCollum, and Gavin DeGraw.
