January 20, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States today during a ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda. The event was attended by a mix of political leaders, corporate executives, foreign dignitaries, and public figures, with overflow crowds watching from Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center.
Notable Attendees at the Ceremony
General CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was among the first to arrive at the Rotunda, where he took his seat on the platform. Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and his wife, Elaine Chao, a former Trump Cabinet member, were also present, along with former House Speakers Kevin McCarthy, John Boehner, and Newt Gingrich.
Prominent figures filled Emancipation Hall, including AI entrepreneurs Sam Altman and Alexandr Wang, social media influencers Logan and Jake Paul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, mixed martial artist Conor McGregor, comedian Theo Von, and former race car driver Danica Patrick. Governors seated in the overflow space included Republicans Mike Braun (Indiana), Ron DeSantis (Florida), Brian Kemp (Georgia), Tate Reeves (Mississippi), Glenn Youngkin (Virginia), and Democrat Ned Lamont (Connecticut). Arizona political figure Kari Lake also attended.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch, and podcast host Joe Rogan were seen in the VIP section, seated near President Trump’s Cabinet. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Argentinian President Javier Milei were among the foreign dignitaries in attendance.
All living former U.S. presidents and Supreme Court justices were present, along with many members of Congress from both parties.
Bipartisan Participation
Members of Congress, including Democrats and Republicans, were seated without party-specific arrangements, leading to informal interactions. Democratic Representative Pete Aguilar, recently pardoned by outgoing President Joe Biden for his role on the January 6 committee, attended along with his colleagues. Republican Representative Mike Turner of Ohio, recently removed as chair of the House Intelligence Committee by Speaker Mike Johnson, was also present.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer entered wearing a bright blue cap, humorously referencing the Buffalo Bills when asked about his feelings. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson described the day as “bright, sunny outside and bright in our heart.” Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries smiled and waved without making a statement, while House Majority Leader Steve Scalise simply said he “felt great.”
Arrival of Trump and Biden
Donald Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden entered the Capitol together through the Carriage Entrance, accompanied by their wives and vice presidents. They were flanked by a military honor guard.
When greeted by reporters, Biden responded briefly with “Well,” while Trump said, “Good morning.”
Opening Remarks
The ceremony began with remarks from the bipartisan leaders of the 60th Inaugural Committee. Senator Amy Klobuchar, the Democratic chair, spoke of the “endurance” of the American democratic system, stating, “Our great American experiment, grounded in the rule of law, has endured.” Her Republican counterpart, Senator Deb Fischer, emphasized the continuity of democracy, saying, “Democracy allows endurance, the permanence of a nation, and never change.”
Overflow Reaction and Ceremony Highlights
In Emancipation Hall, attendees applauded as Trump’s image appeared on screens. A brief “U-S-A” chant began but subsided as attendees were asked to take their seats.
The event concluded with Trump taking the presidential oath, watched by a diverse audience spanning political, business, and cultural spheres. The ceremony marked the start of Trump’s second term as president.
