Donald Trump will return to Washington on Saturday to begin his second presidential inauguration celebrations, four years after leaving the city amid the January 6th Capitol attack by his supporters. The transition of power will feature a blend of solemn rituals and Trump’s signature style, including a fireworks display at one of his golf resorts and an array of high-profile guests from the tech, business, and conservative media sectors. Thousands of Trump’s supporters are expected to gather for the events, with festivities stretching across multiple days.
Despite frigid temperatures in Washington, organizers are working to move most of Monday’s outdoor events, including the swearing-in ceremony, inside. Trump’s return to the capital comes after his presidency ended in 2021, following his refusal to accept his electoral loss and the subsequent Capitol insurrection. Unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, who adhered to traditional presidential customs, Trump had skipped Biden’s inauguration and broke with custom by not attending the ceremony marking the peaceful transfer of power.
This time, Trump’s inauguration celebrations will be marked by fewer protests and a greater focus on the celebratory elements, with a star-studded lineup of performers. Country music artists like Carrie Underwood, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Jason Aldean, along with disco band Village People, rapper Nelly, and musician Kid Rock, are all set to participate. Also making appearances will be figures such as actor Jon Voight, wrestler Hulk Hogan, and tech industry titans including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Shou Zi Chew.
The inauguration events will kick off on Saturday with a reception and fireworks show at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. On Sunday, Trump will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, followed by a rally at Capital One Arena in Washington. Inauguration Day will begin with a prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church and a tea with the outgoing president at the White House. The ceremony itself will be moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to the cold weather, limiting the number of attendees.
