Donald Trump Inauguration Full Recap: Behind the Historic White House Transition

A transition of power unlike any since the 19th century unfolded throughout Monday, Jan. 20, as Donald Trump was sworn in for a rare nonconsecutive term as president

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Kyler Alvord is a news editor at PEOPLE, leading the brand’s political coverage. He joined the publication on the crime beat.

and 

Updated on January 20, 2025 05:15PM EST

A historic transition of power unlike any since the 19th century unfolded throughout Monday, Jan. 20, as President Donald Trump was sworn in for a rare nonconsecutive White House term.

Trump planned an ambitious schedule for Inauguration Day 2025, one that included morning church with wife Melania Trump, tea time with outgoing first couple Joe and Jill Biden, an indoor swearing-in ceremony, a weather-proof “parade” at the Capital One Arena and a series of evening inaugural balls.

Melania Trump Says She’ll Be an ‘Independent’ First Lady and Tell Donald When She Disagrees: ‘Standing on My Own 2 Feet’

With support from incoming Vice President J.D. Vance, Trump is also expected to sign dozens of executive orders and make sweeping changes to the way the federal government operates in the first few hours of his presidency.

PEOPLE followed along throughout the day as Trump and Vance assumed the reins from President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Catch our full recap below.

Donald Trump’s Inauguration

• Donald Trump and J.D. Vance were sworn in as the 47th president and 50th vice president of the United States on Monday, Jan. 20.
• The Bidens and Trumps shared rare moments together before and after the ceremony, briefly putting aside their differences for a peaceful transfer of power.
• After taking the presidential oath, during which he did not place his hand on a Bible, Trump announced his intended slate of Day One executive actions.
• Inaugural balls will continue into the night.

The Trump Family Closes Out the Daytime Ceremonies

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The Trump family arrived at Capital One Arena after a long day of events to participate in a big public moment before heading into the elite evening inaugural balls.

The arena rally takes the place of the traditional inaugural parade, which was scrapped due to the cold temperatures in Washington on Monday.

The long-awaited finale to the public inauguration event schedule on Monday will see Trump sign a slate of executive orders before crowds of fans who were not able to witness the swearing-in ceremony on the National Mall. Among the actions he is expected to take, Trump is believed to be on the verge of pardoning a slate of Jan. 6 rioters.

Later on Monday evening, the Trumps will reappear in their evening wear for fancy balls to close out the administration’s celebration.

The Trumps Attend First Honors Ceremony in Emancipation Hall

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Following the conclusion of the Congressional luncheon, the president and first lady attended a first honors ceremony, with representatives of the branches of the U.S. military bands performing.

The ceremony was moved indoors to Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol, which is a room on the lower level of the visitor center portion of the building.

According to CNN, first responders from the site of the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pa., last year are also in attendance for this ceremony.

Donald Trump in Attendance at Congressional Luncheon

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The president and first lady attended a Congressional luncheon after Donald Trump signed several Executive Orders following his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20.

At the luncheon, the president was seated next to Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, with his wife Melania seated on the other side.

Also on the agenda today is the inaugural parade, and a visit to Capital One Arena, where the president is expected to sign more executive orders.

Donald and Melania Trump Escort the Bidens to Helicopter Departure from Washington, D.C.

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Donald Trump and Melania Trump returned to traditional protocol for the 2025 Inauguration Day, escorting the departing president and first lady as they left Washington, D.C. following the conclusion of Joe Biden’s tenure as president.

The Trumps walked with Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden to the Nighthawk 46 helicopter, where they departed the nation’s capital for Joint Base Andrews, from where they’re eventually heading to Santa Barbara.

The departure marks the end of Biden’s nearly five-decades long political career.

Carrie Underwood Performs ‘America the Beautiful’ After Technical Difficulties

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Country star Carrie Underwood made headlines recently when, after years of openly distancing herself from politics, it was announced that she would be attending Trump’s second inauguration to perform “America the Beautiful.”

Underwood, 41, said of her decision to accept the invitation: “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”

During her performance, which seemed to be delayed by technical issues and ultimately was a cappella, Underwood told the inauguration attendees, “If you know the words, help me out here.” Most of the politicians onstage participated in the sing-a-long.

Several other performers were also brought in for the inaugural events, including The Village People, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Billy Ray Cyrus, Gavin DeGraw, Lee Greenwood and Kid Rock.

Trump Claims He Wants to Be a ‘Peacemaker and a Unifier’ During Speech

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Donald Trump branded himself as a “peacemaker and a unifier” during his inaugural address, before again, pivoting, to his recurring theme of America’s future strength.

“Above all, my message to Americans today is to act with courage, vigor and the vitality of greatest civilization,” he said.

Said Trump, “I stand before you now as proof that you should never believe that something is impossible to do. In America, impossible is what we do best.”

Trump Addresses Assassination Attempt During Inaugural Speech

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The new president addressed the July assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania, while delivering his inaugural address.

“Those who wish to stop our case have tried to take my freedom and indeed, to take my life,” said Trump. “Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear.”

Said the president, “My life was saved for a reason. I was saved by god to make America great again.”

Trump Says ‘the Golden Age of America Begins Right Now’

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While addressing the American people and those gathered at the Capitol rotunda during his inaugural address, Trump stated that “The golden age of America begins right now.”

“We will be the envy of every nation,” he assured, later promising “America’s decline is over.”

Trump also claimed during his speech that he’s been “challenged and tested more than any president in our 250-year history.”

Donald Trump Is President

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Donald Trump has been sworn in as president of the United States once again, becoming the oldest commander-in-chief to take the oath of office, the first convicted felon in the role, and only the second president to serve two non-consecutive terms.

Trump, 78, was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, reciting the oath with a hand on two books held by Melania: a Bible from Trump’s 1955 Sunday school graduation and the Bible that Abraham Lincoln used at his 1861 inauguration.

J.D. Vance Is Sworn in as the 50th U.S. Vice President

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J.D. Vance just took the oath of office and was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as the 50th vice president of the United States, using a family Bible that was passed down from his great-grandmother.

Though Vance’s swearing-in is not quite as historic as former Vice President Kamala Harris’ was in 2021 — when she became the first woman, Black person, and person of Asian descent to hold the title — he still stands out as the first millennial VP.

This time last year, Vance, 40, was a junior U.S. senator from Ohio who had only 12 months of political experience under his belt. Now, he’s a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Donald and Melania Trump Share Air Kiss as He Arrives in Rotunda for Swearing-In

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President-elect Donald Trump greeted his wife, Melania Trump, with an air kiss as he entered the inaugural stage in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday.

The incoming first lady’s dark, wide-brimmed hat — which she stepped out in for the morning’s engagements and kept on in the ceremony — may have prevented the president from delivering a full kiss.

Barron Trump Was 10 When His Father First Entered Office

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Barron Trump, the 18-year-old child of Donald and Melania, previously became the first presidential son to live in the White House since John F. Kennedy Jr. in the ‘60s. During the Trumps’ first stint in Washington, a school-aged Barron was largely shielded from public view aside from major events like the 2017 inauguration, when he was 10 years old.

Then amid the 2024 presidential election, Barron became a more visible part of the family as he graduated high school, enrolled at New York University’s Stern School of Business, and began expressing interest in his father’s political career. He now attends his father’s swearing-in ceremony as an adult, who has been given permission to split his time between the Trump Tower in N.Y.C. and the White House as he pleases.

Barack Obama Sits Beside Laura Bush in Michelle’s Absence

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Former President Barack Obama arrived without his wife, Michelle, on Monday morning, after the former first lady previously revealed that she would not be attending Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. In her absence, Barack was seated beside former First Lady Laura Bush.

A source familiar with Michelle’s thinking told PEOPLE last week that she is “not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake,” adding that she “doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition.”

Former President Obama, the Clintons Booed by Inauguration Viewers at Capitol One Arena

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As former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, joined by former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton, entered the U.S. Capitol rotunda for Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony as the 47th president, viewers watching live from D.C.’s Capitol One Arena could be heard loudly booing.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served alongside Trump during his first term, was also booed when shown on camera.

Tech Billionaires Including Jeff Bezos Get VIP Spots on Inaugural Stage

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Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos are unusual VIPs at the Capitol today, after several billionaires and tech companies made lofty donations to the Trump-Vance inaugural fund.

Bezos is accompanied onstage by fiancée Lauren Sanchez, while Zuckerberg’s wife Priscilla Chan is by his side.

Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai was also onstage in the rotunda, as was Apple’s Tim Cook. Google and Cook, personally, each donated $1M to the inauguration fund for Trump.

Musk became a central part of Trump’s 2024 campaign and presidential transition, and will assume the reins of the proposed Department of Government Efficiency in the new administration. Zuckerberg recently rolled back fact-checking on Meta platforms and made controversial changes to the company’s hateful conduct policy after meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

Watch the Inauguration Live on PEOPLE’s Stream

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PEOPLE is streaming live from Washington, D.C. as Donald Trump prepares to take the Oath of Office for a second time following his reelection last fall.

Watch live on Facebook at the link above.

The Bidens Hand the White House Over to the Trumps

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In 2021, Donald and Melania Trump sped off to Mar-a-Lago before Joe Biden’s inauguration began, skirting a face to face meeting with the new first couple. Four years later, Joe and Jill Biden are taking the high road, staying back at the White House to welcome the Trumps into their new home before the swearing-in ceremony begins.

The tradition of morning tea between the outgoing and incoming first couples on Inauguration Day is often a little bit awkward, but it signifies a peaceful transfer of power and an appreciation for the common bond of being in the nation’s most visible role. Since Melania declined Jill’s invitation to visit the White House in November, it took until today for the Bidens and Trumps to finally join together and offer the world a glimpse of civility.

Michelle Obama Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as She Skips the Inauguration

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Michelle Obama opted to skip Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities on Jan. 20, but did use the national to honor the man its named after.

“Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service always inspires me,” the former First Lady wrote on Instagram, alongside an image of Dr. King. “This #MLKDay, I hope you’ll join me and @WhenWeAllVote in honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy by getting involved in your community. Whether you’re mentoring students at your local school or volunteering for a cause that matters to you, it all helps make a difference. Tell me how you’re giving back today in the comments.”

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The Oaths You’ll Hear Today

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Shortly before Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th U.S. president, J.D. Vance will take the vice presidential oath of office, which is the same oath that members of Congress recite:

“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.”

—Vice Presidential Oath

Once Vance is sworn in as the 50th U.S. vice president, it will be Trump’s turn. The presidential oath is shorter and simpler:

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.”

—Presidential Oath

The Bidens’ Last Selfie

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Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff Welcome J.D. and Usha Vance to the White House

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Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff joined Joe and Jill Biden at the White House for final photos together before vacating the office.

Harris and Emhoff then welcomed their soon-to-be successors, J.D. and Usha Vance, to the White House shortly after 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday.

Harris committed to participating in the inauguration events despite losing the election, aiming to return to normalcy after Trump skipped out on the day following his 2020 loss.

Melania Trump Entered the Crypto Fray on Inauguration Eve

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Incoming first lady Melania Trump launched a meme coin on Sunday, Jan. 19, on the eve of Inauguration Day.

“The Official Melania Meme is live!” her X account posted. “You can buy $MELANIA now.”

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The cryptocurrency launch comes two days after her husband, President-elect Donald Trump, commemorated his second term with a coin. On Friday, Jan. 17, the soon-to-be 47th president revealed a coin which features himself punching his fist into the air alongside the word “fight.”

Experts cautioned that, despite the Trumps’ backing, the coins are speculative and are risky investments.

“Meme cryptocurrencies like these are prone to large fluctuations and we generally consider them as speculative assets,” Grzegorz Drozdz, market analyst at Conotoxia, told CNBC. “The tokens released by Donald and Melania Trump appear to symbolize support for the digital currency sector. However, the introduction of these coins during the presidential inauguration raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.”

It’s Below Freezing in D.C. Today

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Freezing conditions threw a wrench in the inauguration plan when officials decided on Friday to move the main ceremony indoors to the Capitol rotunda. AccuWeather’s Washington forecast shows a high of 28 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 12, with wind gusts maxing out at 27mph. The sun will be shining, though.

Donald and Melania Make Their First Appearance

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Donald and Melania Trump followed tradition by beginning Inauguration Day with a church service at St. John’s Episcopal Church near the White House. Among the others spotted in the church were J.D. and Usha Vance, Barron Trump, Viktor Knavs, Jared and Ivanka Trump, Eric and Lara Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard and Argentinian President Javier Milei, according to pool reporters.

Trump and Vance Released Their Official Inaugural Portraits Last Week

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Ahead of their swearing-in ceremony, Trump and Vance released their official portraits, taken by Trump’s chief photographer, Daniel Torok.

In a departure from the norm, Trump forwent a smile and instead bore a similar expression to his historic 2023 mug shot, which loyal MAGA followers later embraced as the symbol of a man who could not be taken down easily.

See how their portraits compare to past administrations.

The Last Inauguration Was Dampened by COVID-19 and Security Threats

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When Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in on Jan. 20, 2021, the ceremonies and crowds were scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event’s timing — held two weeks after a violent, pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol — also heightened security concerns, interfering with the usual pomp and ceremony.

This year, the swearing-in ceremony will also be unusual in that it’s being held indoors due to dangerously cold weather. In the evening, though, Trump and Vance are reviving the star-studded inaugural balls that Biden and Harris had to forgo.

See All the Photos from President Joseph Biden’s 2021 Inauguration

Today’s Schedule

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Inauguration events will run into the night, as powerful friends of the new administration attend a series of celebrations after the afternoon swearing-in ceremony. The full schedule was thrown into flux due to weather disruptions, leaving exact times uncertain. Here’s how today will unfold, according to what has been announced:

• Donald and Melania Trump attend a service at St. John’s Episcopal Church at Lafayette Square first thing in the morning
• Joe and Jill Biden welcome Donald and Melania to the White House for tea
• The Bidens accompany the Trumps to the U.S. Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony, which is likely to unfold between roughly 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. ET. The president’s oath is typically administered close to noon, after the new vice president has been sworn in
• Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are honored with a farewell ceremony immediately after the inaugural address
• President Trump signs a slate of executive orders in the early afternoon, followed by a luncheon with other elected officials
• The Trumps will show up to a packed Capital One Arena for an indoor “parade” in the mid-afternoon
• The Trumps will attend three official inaugural balls with high-profile guests and entertainers into the night