Every four years, the United States swears in its president on Inauguration Day, marking the start of a new term with a ceremony steeped in tradition and shaped by the incoming leader’s personal style.
As Donald Trump prepares to take the oath of office once again, his 2025 inauguration promises to be an event like no other—complete with tech moguls, right-wing allies, and a last-minute shift indoors due to frigid weather.
Here’s what to expect when Trump is sworn in as the 47th president on Monday.
The U.S. Constitution mandates that a president’s term begins at noon on January 20 (or the following Monday if it falls on a Sunday). Traditionally, presidents take the oath on a massive temporary platform overlooking the Capitol’s West Lawn. However, due to a severe cold snap, this year’s ceremony will be held inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Chief Justice John Roberts, who administered Trump’s first oath in 2017, will preside again. After being sworn in, Trump will deliver his inaugural address, outlining his vision for the next four years. His 2017 speech was notably dark, warning of “American carnage.” It remains to be seen what tone he will strike this time.
Incoming Vice President J.D. Vance will also take his oath during the ceremony.
Notable Guests
In a signature Trump move, this inauguration will feature a mix of establishment figures and unconventional guests, particularly from the tech world.
Billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg are set to attend, as is TikTok CEO Shou Chew—despite Trump’s previous threats to ban the platform. Trump’s campaign reportedly benefited from social media disinformation, particularly on Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), Zuckerberg’s Facebook and Instagram, and TikTok.
Outgoing President Joe Biden will be present, a notable contrast to 2021 when Trump refused to attend Biden’s swearing-in. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama will also be there, along with their spouses—except for Michelle Obama.
Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in 2016, and Kamala Harris, whom he unseated in 2024, are both expected to be in attendance.
While foreign leaders typically do not receive invitations, Trump has made exceptions for a few ideological allies. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has confirmed her attendance. Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were invited, though Xi is sending Vice President Han Zheng in his place.
Trump has long fixated on crowd sizes, but the decision to move the ceremony indoors could put a dent in his bragging rights. Over 220,000 tickets were set for public distribution before Friday’s announcement that the event would be moved to the Capitol Rotunda, which holds just 600 people.
To compensate, Trump promised supporters they could watch a live broadcast at Washington’s Capital One Arena, which seats up to 20,000. He also vowed to make an appearance at the venue later in the day.
Executive Orders on Day One
Trump has pledged to sign approximately 100 executive orders on his first day, many aimed at reversing Biden-era policies.
“Within hours of taking office, I will sign dozens of executive orders—close to 100, to be exact—many of which I will describe in my address tomorrow,” he told supporters at a Sunday night candlelight dinner.
Among his most controversial pledges: launching a large-scale deportation initiative, expanding domestic oil drilling, and potentially pardoning those convicted for the January 6 Capitol riot.
Following the swearing-in, U.S. officials are scheduled to meet with foreign ministers from Japan, India, and Australia—the so-called “Quad” alliance aimed at countering China’s influence.
Entertainment and Galas
Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 suffered from a lack of high-profile musical acts, with few A-list artists willing to perform. This time, his lineup is stronger.
Country star Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” during the ceremony, alongside singer Lee Greenwood, whose song “God Bless the USA” has become a Trump rally staple.
A pre-inauguration rally on Sunday featured performances by Kid Rock and disco legends the Village People—Trump even joined them onstage for a dance to their hit “Y.M.C.A.”
Monday night, Trump will attend three official inaugural balls featuring performances by Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Gavin DeGraw, and the Village People. Several unofficial galas are also planned across Washington, D.C.
As Trump prepares to reclaim the presidency, his inauguration is set to be a spectacle reflecting both his brand and his political alliances—one that will set the tone for his second term.
© Agence France-Presse