Donald Trump inauguration ceremony: Here’s what you need to know about Donald Trump’s inauguration

President-elect Donald Trump will move into the White House again on Monday, after officially becoming the 47th president of the United States.

Inauguration Day includes a formal swearing-in ceremony as well as musical performances, a celebratory parade and a number of official balls.

Vice President-elect JD Vance will also take the oath of office and join Mr. Trump on stage to officially inaugurate their new administration.

This is the official ceremony that marks the end of a president’s term and the start of his successor’s administration.

This is the highest-profile step in the transition of power among government leaders in Washington DC.

A key part of the ceremony includes reciting the president-elect’s oath of office: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and that, to the best of my ability, I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. »

Although he won the election in November, Trump officially becomes the 47th president once he says these words. He had previously served as the 45th president between 2017 and 2021.

Vance will also take the oath of office before officially assuming the role of vice president.

Mr. Trump’s second day of inauguration will begin with a church service at St John’s Church, Lafayette Square, a historic church in Washington DC, followed by tea at the White House.

Musical performances and keynote speech are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. EST (2:30 p.m. GMT).

This will be followed by the swearing-in of Trump and Vance in the Capitol rotunda. Each of the two men will place their hand on a book – usually a Bible but not always – and recite the oath of office.

This year, Mr. Trump will use two: a personal Bible given to him by his mother in 1955 and the historic Lincoln Bible, a velvet-bound volume used at the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln in 1861.

The Trump-Vance inauguration committee said Vice President Vance would also take the oath of office on a personal Bible, a family copy that belonged to his maternal great-grandmother.

Next, Mr. Trump will deliver his inauguration speech, in which he will outline his goals for the next four years.

He will then go to the President’s Room, near the Senate chamber, to sign important documents.

He will then participate in a luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

This ceremony is usually followed by a parade that leaves the Capitol and goes down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, but it is not yet clear how the parade will be adapted this year.

Later in the evening, Mr. Trump will attend three inauguration balls in the city: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.

He is scheduled to speak at all three events.

The inauguration ceremony is traditionally held outside the United States Capitol, with viewing areas extending to the National Mall.

This year, however, high winds and bitter cold are forecast in Washington DC on Monday. Temperatures are expected to reach a minimum of -11°C and a maximum of -5°C.

On Friday, Mr. Trump announced on social media that he had requested a change of venue due to weather conditions. He doesn’t want to “see people hurt in any way,” he wrote.

The inaugural address, speeches and other proceedings will take place inside the Capitol, as will viewing areas for guests, lawmakers and dignitaries.

Other participants will be able to follow the proceedings live in the nearby Capital One Arena. Trump said he would visit with the public after his swearing-in.

This is not the first time that extreme weather conditions have postponed the ceremony. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration was moved indoors and the traditional parade was canceled due to unusually cold weather.

Local and federal authorities expect about 200,000 people in Washington DC, including Trump supporters and protesters.

Many senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives will also be in attendance, as well as guests from the incoming administration.

After Mr. Trump, Mr. Vance and their families, the most important guests are the outgoing president and vice president. That means we’ll see President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris — who lost the November election to Trump — with their respective spouses Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff.

Former presidents and first ladies are often on the guest list, but former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend this year’s inauguration, according to her office.

Mrs. Obama was conspicuous by her absence at the recent commemoration of former President Jimmy Carter, remaining in Hawaii. She has attended every inauguration since her husband’s in 2009, including Mr. Trump’s first swearing-in in 2017.

Mrs. Obama’s husband, former President Barack, is expected to attend, however, as is another former president, George W. Bush, and his wife Laura Bush. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, another Democrat, will not attend.

Billionaire technology company leaders Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are expected to attend the ceremony, US media report.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is also expected to attend, just one day after a potential ban on the social media platform took effect in the United States.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will also be present.

Country singer and former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood is set to perform America the Beautiful at the ceremony.

“I love our country and am honored to have been invited to sing at the inauguration and be a part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement. “I am honored to answer this call at a time when we must all come together in a spirit of unity and looking forward. »

Country singer Lee Greenwood, Trump’s longtime friend and collaborator, will also perform at the inauguration ceremony, as will opera singer Christopher Macchio.

American disco group The Village People will perform at Trump’s victory rally on Sunday and at one of the inauguration balls on Monday.

During his campaign, Trump frequently played the band’s songs – YMCA and Macho Man – at his rallies.

“We know this won’t please some of you, but we believe music should be played regardless of politics,” the band said in a post on its Facebook page.

“Our YMCA song is a global anthem that will hopefully help bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our favorite candidate lost. »

Other artists are expected at the Trump rally and evening balls. They include many country acts, including Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts. Singer Gavin DeGraw and rapper Nelly will also perform.

There is usually a high demand to attend the inauguration in person, and tickets are very popular.

Members of Congress receive a certain number of tickets to the ceremony, which they can distribute to their constituents.

These tickets are free, but often difficult to obtain. Americans can contact their congressional representative directly for tickets.

If you can’t attend the ceremony in person, there are many ways to watch it remotely.

The White House will broadcast the ceremony live.

The BBC will cover the event live on its television news channel. British viewers will also be able to follow the ceremony at 3:30 p.m. GMT on BBC One.

You can also watch the inauguration live on the BBC News website and follow it live on our page, where we’ll bring you updates, analysis and key moments as they happen.

Listeners will be able to listen to a special radio program on BBC World Service.