Donald Trump inauguration LIVE: Michelle Obama to skip US president-elect's second oath of office - latest updates
Donald Trump is set to return to the Capitol Building as he prepares for his second inauguration as president of the United States.
Mr Trump will succeed Joe Biden in the White House from January 20, when he takes the oath of office in Washington D.C.
The 78-year-old defeated Kamala Harris in the election to become the 47th president in November, after Mr Biden withdrew from the race.
JD Vance will also be sworn in as vice president, with the world’s attention focused on the ceremony. One notable absentee will be Michelle Obama, who has confirmed she will not be attending with her ex-president husband Barack.
According to a source who spoke to Page Six, Mrs Obama has no plans to smooth over her relationship with Mr Trump. “She’s never been fake and she's never been phony,' the source said.
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Live updates
What happens during inauguration day on 20 January?
Donald Trump's second inauguration day will begin with a service at St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square, a historic church in Washington, D.C., followed by tea at the White House.
Musical performances and opening remarks will kick off on the main stage, located on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building, at 09:30 EST (14:30 GMT).
This will lead into the swearing-in ceremony for Trump and Vance, followed by the inaugural address, where the president will outline his goals for the next four years.
After the ceremony, Trump will head to the President’s Room near the Senate chamber to sign key documents.
He will then attend a luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
The day’s events continue with a parade from the Capitol building down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
In the evening, Trump is set to appear at three inaugural balls across the city: the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball, where he is expected to deliver speeches at each.
Donald Trump’s official inauguration portrait unveiled
Donald Trump’s official inauguration portrait has been released ahead of next Monday’s swearing-in ceremony—and it’s drawing attention for its striking similarity to his infamous mugshot.
In the portrait, the president-elect is well-lit and dressed in a blue suit with a matching tie, but it’s his expression that has captured observers’ attention. Leaning slightly forward, Trump gazes directly at the camera with one eyebrow raised and his lips tightly closed.
“Trump really went with the mugshot aesthetic for the new presidential portrait,” remarked conservative commentator Benny Johnson.
Trump’s mugshot was taken in August 2023 at Fulton County Jail, where he was booked on racketeering and conspiracy charges and released on a $200,000 bond. The president-elect has denied all charges.
What day will Trump take office?
Donald Trump will take office on Monday, January 20, following the inauguration ceremony on the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The ceremony is set to begin at noon local time, with Trump officially becoming president upon taking the oath of office. The date and time of the ceremony are mandated by the 20th Amendment to the US Constitution. Inauguration Day always falls on January 20, unless it’s a Sunday, in which case it is moved to January 21.
For much of US history, Inauguration Day was held on March 4, but it was moved to January after the 1933 election.
Who will perform at the inauguration?
Artists will perform at various inauguration events, including the likes of vocal Trump supporter Kid Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus - the pair will join Lee Greenwood at the Make America Great Again Rally on Sunday
A performance by country singer Jason Aldean is meanwhile slated for Monday evening at the Liberty Hall, where Aldean will play alongside The Village People and a “surprise musical guest”. Country band Rascal Flatts will be at the Commander-in-Chief ball, focussed on military service members.
The evening performances will follow an appearance made by Carrie Underwood at the swearing-in ceremony as she sings America The Beautiful. Also due to perform are Christopher Maccio and Greenwood.
Which world leaders are going?
This is the first time a president has invited world leaders to an inauguration ceremony.
Argentine President Javier Milei has disclosed plans to travel to Washington, though it is unclear whether an invitation to others have been accepted - including those to Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Nayib Bukele from El Salvador.
Some world leaders have not been invited to Trump’s swear-in ceremony, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, which Trump confirmed, then said, “but if he’d like to come, I’d like to have him”.
What is the schedule for Trump's inauguration?
The swearing in ceremony for Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance is scheduled for 5pm GMT on Monday 20 January, which is also a national holiday (Martin Luther King Jr Day). Other ceremonial events officially commence Saturday 18, when the pomp and spectacle that comes with the inauguration kicks off.
Saturday
Reception and fireworks at Trump’s golf club in Virginia
Cabinet reception and vice president’s dinner
Sunday
Wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier at Arlington National Ceremony
A “victory rally” at the Capitol One arena in Washington
Candlelight dinner
Monday
St John’s church service
Tea at the White House
Swearing-in ceremony
Farewell to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
US Capitol departure
The president’s signing room ceremony
Luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
Oval Office signing ceremony
Speech at the Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball and Starlight Ball
Tuesday
National prayer service concludes inaugural activities.
What has Trump promised for his first day in office?
Donald Trump has outlined dozens of commitments for his first day in office.
These include launching what he claims will be the “largest deportation program in the history of America” and signing pardons for those convicted and jailed for their roles in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He has also vowed to reverse the Biden-Harris administration’s climate policies, including loosening regulations on fossil-fuel cars.
In total, the president-elect has made an estimated 59 pledges for his first hours in the White House, according to Axios.
How can I watch the inauguration?
The White House will livestream the event, allowing anyone with a device to watch free of charge.
Most major news networks, including BBC, Sky News, ABC, CBS, CNN, CSPAN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC, and PBS will also provide live coverage of the inauguration.
German far-right leader to attend Trump inauguration
A co-leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) will attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20 just a month before a federal election in Germany, the party said on Thursday.
The invitation to Tino Chrupalla follows an endorsement of the AfD by Trump ally Elon Musk and a discussion with co-leader Alice Weidel on social media platform X which fed concern about the US billionaire's ambition to influence European politics.
"Attending the inauguration of President Donald Trump shows once again that we are implementing our interest-led policies," Chrupalla said in a statement.
"We stand ready as an alternative to be a strong partner on the continent of Europe. Germany must maintain good and peaceful relations with all countries," he added.
Kid Rock, Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood to headline Trump inauguration celebrations
Kid Rock and Jason Aldean will headline a host of country stars performing at President-elect Trump's inauguration celebrations.
The Make America Great Again Rally at Capital One Arena will feature Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lee Greenwood on Sunday. "I'm excited to sing yet again for President of the United States and particularly my friend Donald J. Trump," Greenwood told AP.
Carrie Underwood will perform "America the Beautiful" at Monday's swearing-in ceremony. "I am honoured to be a small part of this historic event," she said in a statement.
Three inaugural balls will follow, with Aldean headlining The Liberty Ball, Rascal Flatts performing at the military-focused Commander-in-Chief Ball, and Gavin DeGraw entertaining donors at the Starlight Ball.