Regardless of whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, you have to admit that the notion of a presidential inauguration is pretty interesting — especially when it comes to the nation’s first felon taking the helm as a leader of the free world. History was made once again on January 20, 2025, as Donald J. Trump was sworn in for his second term — a moment that left the country captivated, divided, and glued to their screens.
This political season has been marked by significant activity and unpredictability, between Trump’s trial, Biden withdrawing from the race, Harris throwing her hat into the ring, and the discourse (appropriate or otherwise) that followed both sides up until Nov. 6th, and even now.
The inauguration itself was a spectacle as usual: flags everywhere, famous faces in the crowd, and all the pomp you’d expect. It also felt different — heavier, because this wasn’t just any swearing-in. This was Trump’s comeback tour, an Electric Boogaloo.
In the weeks leading up to this day, several influential figures including former First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez chose to skip the inauguration, which I can understand based on how improbable this seemed. While some people cheered Trump’s every word, protestors made their opinions known during the weekend, as 50,000 individuals gathered to resist his harmful policies.
Additionally, the assortment of guests at this occasion was rather interesting.
Talents like Billy Ray Cyrus and Carrie Underwood appeared in musical performances. Other musicians that attended include Snoop Dogg and The Village People, who took the stage at Trump’s inaugural pre- and post-celebrations respectively. This is a far cry from the struggle Trump faced to gather musicians for his first inauguration back in 2017.
There were a variety of tech moguls in attendance, such as Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. Then there were the outliers like ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson and the Paul Brothers.
Thankfully, despite the recent death of President Jimmy Carter, four living presidents were able to attend Trump’s inauguration: Biden, Clinton, Bush, and Obama, all assembling alongside the hodgepodge of guests from across the world. No matter how you feel about the outcome of this election season, the gathering of these dignitaries and notable figures certainly makes for an interesting occasion.
As for the man of the hour, Trump repeatedly presented himself as a pivotal figure in American history — one even God had sent.
During his speech, he declared several of his plans to “manifest destiny” in the U.S. Some of Trump’s plans include “establishing the existence of only two genders,” or shaming Merrick Garland’s attempts to hold him accountable for the attack on the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
His rhetoric leaned heavily into themes of triumph over his perceived enemies, political or otherwise. The impact of this message was amplified when Trump withdrew the United States from international agreements such as the Paris climate treaty and the World Health Organization. Additionally, Trump said he would be “reclaiming” the Panama Canal and pursuing energy independence through increased domestic oil drilling.
While supporters viewed his plans as a bold blueprint for national improvement, critics expressed concern over the potential rollback of vital policies. In short, his pursuit of patriotism definitely came off a bit distinct.
In short, President Trump’s inaugural address signaled the start of a new term, one set on shaking up the status quo. As the country steps into this new chapter, only time will tell how these policies will shape America’s future and its role on the global stage.
