On January 20, 2025, in a remarkable display of political theatre, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States at a basketball and ice hockey arena in downtown Washington. Concurrently, Joe Biden took the oath as the 47th President. The event was marked by a series of attention-grabbing moments, including Trump's signing of an unprecedented recession of 78 Biden-era orders and actions. The spectacle drew an estimated crowd of 20,000 people, who gathered to witness the former president's return to the political stage.
The arena buzzed with anticipation as first responders from Butler, along with police and firefighters from Palm Beach, Florida, and representatives from the New York Military Academy, participated in a parade. Among the high-profile figures present was Elon Musk, a known ally of Trump and the world's richest man, who performed as a warm-up act. The crowd erupted in applause when Trump announced the United States' withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.
“We’re not going do the wind thing,” Trump declared to the cheering audience.
His comments extended to a critique of renewable energy sources, particularly wind energy.
“So if you’re into whales, you don’t want windmills either. They’re the most expensive form of energy that you can have by far and they’re all made in China, by the way, practically of them. And they kill your birds and ruin your beautiful landscapes,” he added.
During the event, a moment of silence honored Corey Comperatore, a supporter who tragically lost his life in a shooting incident. The crowd later participated in chants of "USA!" as Trump delivered a speech filled with various claims and promises.
“You know, we won the youth vote by 36 points,” Trump falsely asserted.
The inaugural address was described by John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, as a "jumble of disconnected ideas." Trump's rhetoric included references to "the weaponisation of the government against the adversaries of the previous administration," further energizing his supporters. At one point, Elon Musk raised his arm in what some interpreted as a Roman salute, which drew comparisons to a fascist gesture.
In addition to the policy announcements and statements, Trump gave special recognition to his family members present at the event. His wife, Melania Trump, garnered attention with her fashion choice of a navy boater-style hat, double-breasted coat, and pencil skirt paired with an ivory blouse. Trump also acknowledged daughter-in-law Lara Trump, son Don Jr., daughter Ivanka, and her husband Jared Kushner.
The event's atmosphere remained charged throughout, culminating in Trump's energetic fist pump to the crowd. Despite the grandeur and showmanship, there were moments of controversy. Trump's claim about winning the youth vote was widely disputed and criticized for its inaccuracy.
“No, we’re not going to put up with that crap any more,” he proclaimed, addressing his stance on various policies attributed to the previous administration.
In a surprising turn during his address, Trump announced plans to pardon individuals referred to as "J6 hostages," signaling his continued support for those involved in events surrounding January 6th.
“And tonight I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages’ pardons to get them out,” he stated.
The audience's reactions varied from enthusiastic support to apparent indifference regarding environmental policies. Observers noted that despite Trump's controversial stance on climate change and other issues, his core supporters remained steadfast.