Donald Trump will become the 47the President of the United States this Monday during his swearing in in Washington. This is how the day should go.
Published at 5:00 a.m.
Where and when?
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PHOTO SAUL LOEB, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The majestic ceiling of the rotunda
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PHOTO FABRIZIO BENSCH, ARCHIVES REUTERS
Preparations were well underway when the decision was made to hold the ceremony inside the Capitol rather than outside the west wing of the building.
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Donald Trump’s swearing-in will not take place on the steps of the Capitol, as tradition dictates. Due to the polar cold, the ceremony was moved to the Capitol rotunda. It will take place at noon on January 20.
Quoi ?
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PHOTO J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Staff were putting the finishing touches in preparation for Donald Trump’s inauguration over the weekend.
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PHOTO J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The cameras from channels around the world had to be dismantled from their position outside the Capitol and then quickly installed in the rotunda.
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PHOTO CARLOS BARRIA, REUTERS
For his part, the man who will become president again this Monday spent Sunday at the Arlington National Cemetery – which notably hosts the remains of American soldiers – before going to a final gathering.
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PHOTO DANIEL COLE, REUTERS
Donald Trump supporters have never been so numerous in the American capital since January 6, 2021. Thousands of them braved the particularly unpredictable weather to attend the Donald Trump rally – and to prepare for the festivities on Monday .
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PHOTO CARLOS BARRIA, REUTERS
On Sunday, the main person spoke to a crowd of cheering supporters at Capital One Arena in Washington, home of the Capitals in the NHL and the Wizards in the NBA. The amphitheater will also welcome thousands of people on Monday, since the investiture ceremony will be broadcast on the giant screen.
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This ceremony officially marks the start of Donald Trump’s second presidential term. The latter will take the oath before the President of the Supreme Court, according to tradition. Its vice-president, JD Vance, will also take the oath of office. After the swearing-in, an inauguration speech will be delivered, followed by a parade.
Then, the new president will attend a series of swearing-in balls and galas in the capital to celebrate the start of his presidency.
A rally of Republican supporters has already taken place Sunday evening at Capital One Arena, the home of the Washington Capitals.
Other events were also organized throughout the weekend.
Who is invited?
PHOTO BRIAN SNYDER, REUTERS
-Donald Trump and Elon Musk at Sunday’s rally
Members of Congress, dignitaries, former presidents and personal guests of the president-elect are expected to attend the ceremony. President Joe Biden said he was going to be present for Trump’s swearing-in – who himself had not been present for his own in 2021.
We also know that former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush plan to attend the ceremony. The latter two will be accompanied by their wives, while Michelle Obama has indicated that she will not be present.
Billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg will also be there on Monday, according to NBC News.
Trump also invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to the ceremony, which would have been a first, as no Chinese president has ever attended the event. The latter said this month that he would send an envoy to Washington for the ceremony.
Originally, the general public was also supposed to be able to attend the event: a specific area was reserved for citizens who wished to be there, and who had purchased tickets. Now that the event is being held in the Capitol rotunda, the vast majority of these tickets become invalid and have only “commemorative” value.
A live broadcast of the ceremony is organized at the Capital One Arena in Washington, which can accommodate 20,000 people. It is also this arena that will host Donald Trump’s presidential parade after his swearing in, this event having also been moved indoors.
Will there be shows?
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PHOTO CARLOS BARRIA, REUTERS
Donald Trump surrounded by members of the Village People group, Sunday evening
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PHOTO MATT ROURKE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kid Rock, in full performance at Capital One Arena, in front of the podium of the Republican tandem
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Yes, several artists will participate in Monday’s events, in addition to the shows that have already taken place during the weekend. Country singer Carrie Underwood will sing America the Beautiful during the swearing-in ceremony. Kid Rock and Village People performed at a rally at Capitol One Arena on Sunday. The Village People’s announcement that it would take part in the festivities disappointed many fans. “We know some of you won’t be happy, but we believe we can make music without politics,” the band said on social media.
How much will it cost?
PHOTO SAM HODGSON, ARCHIVES THE NEW YORK TIMES
Donald and Melania Trump during the parade following the inauguration ceremony in 2017.
President-elect Donald Trump raised more than $170 million for his swearing-in, a record amount, according to CNN. Tech company bosses and major donors rushed to help fund the ceremony. Donald Trump’s inauguration committee is expected to raise more than $200 million by the end of the operation.
According to the Washington PostDonald Trump’s inauguration in 2017 cost nearly $200 million. That year, about 70 million came from private donations; taxpayers footed the rest of the bill.
Will the flags be at half-mast?
PHOTO CAROLYN VAN HOUTEN, ARCHIVES THE WASHINGTON POST
American flags were flown at half-mast for 30 days on December 29 due to the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
On December 29, President Biden ordered that American flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who died that day. This half-masting indicates that the country or state is in mourning. Flags must normally remain at half-staff for 30 days, including at U.S. embassies and other foreign installations, including military installations and ships.
However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, announced on Tuesday that the flags would indeed be raised during the inauguration of Donald Trump, a gesture which aims, according to him, to “salute the unity of our country around the inauguration.” Donald Trump strongly opposed the half-masting of flags during his inauguration, shortly after the announcement of Jimmy Carter’s death.
The flags will be lowered to half-mast on Tuesday.
With the Associated Press
