Donald Trump Inaugural Speech Highlights
President Donald Trump's second inaugural address featured similar themes to his first as he declared the beginning of a 'golden age' in America.
Trump added a long list of policies that sounded more like a State of the Union speech than an Inauguration Day speech. But the broad themes were fundamentally Trumpian, setting himself up as a national saviour.
A promise of an 'American golden age'
From the start, Trump's speech tracked his campaign rally approach: big promises of national success due to his leadership, with plenty of sweeping indictments of the status quo.
Trump calls Out Biden Administration for 'Corruption'
Trump described America's leadership over the last four years as incompetent and corrupt, echoing some of the darker rhetoric he promoted on a daily basis as a presidential candidate on the campaign trail. He did not call out his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, or any other Democrats by name, but there was no question about whom he was talking. He said the current government protects dangerous immigrants instead of law-abiding citizens, protects foreign borders at the expense of American borders and “can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency.”
Recasting his assassination attempt
Trump mentioned the attempt to assassinate him in Butler, Pennsylvania, using striking language to describe how he survived. “I was saved by God to make America great again,” Trump said to applause. The shooter was an apparently disturbed 20-year-old local man. Trump baselessly implied the attack was part of a conspiracy to stop him from returning to office.
Trump Claimed LA Fires Were Still Burning 'Without Token Of Defence'
Trump's lament about the state of the nation included disbelief that the fires around Los Angeles were still burning “without a token defence". That's false. Firefighters have been battling the blazes since they erupted and have made significant progress. The Eaton fire is 87 per cent contained, and the Palisades fire 59 per cent contained, according to CalFire.
Trump Will Close Southern Borders, Deport 'Millions Of Aliens'
Donald Trump durin his ianugural speech confirmed that he will announce national emergency on southern borders in attempt to halt all illegal entries. He said the authorities will begin the process of sending back “criminal elements” back to Mexico.
Part of his plan relies on resuming the “Remain in Mexico” policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in US immigration court, a hallmark of his first term. The Mexican government has agreed, signalling perhaps one of the most concrete and immediate changes that will be seen at the border.
Trump Government To Recognize Only Two Genders
Donald Trump declared that the government policy under his regime would recognize “only two genders: male and female."
He said, "This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind, and merit-based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female."
Trump Inauguration LIVE: Joe Biden Welcomes Donald Trump At White House
Outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump to the White House hours before the grand inauguration ceremony.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: The Location Of Ceremony Changed To Indoors Due To Frigid Weather
Donald Trump's swearing-in was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda — the first time that has happened in 40 years — and the inaugural parade was replaced by an event at a downtown arena.
Throngs of Trump supporters had descended on the city to watch the inaugural ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol from the National Mall but have now been left to find somewhere else to view the festivities.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: 2,600 People Expected In Capitol Building Today
Around 800 people are expected to be in the Capitol Rotunda for Donald Trump’s inauguration, with another 1,300 people in Emancipation Hall and 500 more people in the theater in the Capitol Visitor’s Center, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
That’s around 2,600 people expected to be in the Capitol building for the inauguration.
- CNN
Donald Trump Inauguration 2025 LIVE: Trump To Sign Close To 100 Orders On Day One
Shortly after his inauguration as POTUS, Trump will take part in the traditional signing of executive orders at the Oval Office.
For his first day back as President, Trump has vowed to sign nearly 100 executive orders. Some of these orders will include the ones revoked by the Biden administration in 2020.
On Trump's long list of executive orders is a plan for a mass deportation programme, increase in oil drilling, pardoning January 6 rioters and much more.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Outgoing President Biden Wrote A Letter To Trump
It is a tradition for the outgoing president to write a letter to his successor and leave it in the drawer of the Oval Office desk for the new president to find.
Biden declined to say what he said in the note. Trump wrote Biden a note four years ago.
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: EAM Jaishankar Says He Is 'Priviledged' To Attend Inauguration Ceremony
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday that he was "privileged" to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump as the US president.
"Privileged to represent India as External Affairs Minister and Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC," he said in a post on X.
"Attended the Inauguration Day Prayer Service at St John’s Church this morning," he said.
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: Biden And Trump Left For Capitol Together In A Limo
President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump are riding in the same limo to the US Capitol ahead of today’s swearing-in ceremony.
The two did not ride together four years ago when Trump famously skipped Biden’s swearing-in but will return to the same tradition that President Barack Obama afforded to Trump in 2017.
It is tradition for the outgoing president to accompany the president-elect to the US Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.
- CNN
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: Joe Biden And Donald Trump Arrive At Capitol Rotunda
President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden who travelled together from White House have arrived at the US Capitol for the inauguration ceremony.
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: Pence And The Clintons Get Booed In Arena
The crowd in the arena is not discriminate with their cheers — anything from a man holding a “Joe Biden You're Fired” sign to a shot of Rudy Giuliani has inspired enthusiastic applause — but a rare boo erupted from the crowd at the sigh of Mike Pence walking into the rotunda.
Soon after a much larger boo came for the Clintons.
But Pence also received a standing ovation from attendees when he entered the Capitol.
Pence did not endorse Trump during the 2024 campaign. “Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years. That’s why I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign,” Pence told Fox News in 2024.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: All Trump Children Enter Capitol Rotunda
Members of President-elect Donald Trump’s family have entered the Capitol Rotunda for the swearing-in ceremony.
Trump’s children — Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump and Baron Trump — are all there.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Unprecedented Security Across Washington
The inauguration ceremony for the new President is a National Special Security Event (NSSE), a classification that brings federal and local partners together under the lead of the United States Secret Service.
Overnight, iron walls and fences have come across the length and breadth of the city. Officials told Associated Press that 30 miles of temporary fencing and about 25,000 security personnel have been deployed for the occasion.
All major venues associated with the inauguration have been blocked and cordoned off. Authorities have warned participants to walk, many times, even a mile, to reach the venues. To reach a venue, participants would also have to pass through multiple layers of security checks. People have been asked not to bring any large bags or items with them.
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: Inauguration Festivities Begin At Capitol Rotunda
Opera singer Tenor Christopher Macchio begun the inauguration festivities in the Capitol Rotunda as he is started to sing “Oh, America” ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: What Will Trump's Immediate Agenda Be As He Enters Office?
Incoming President Donald Trump has been promising a flurry of executive action on Day 1, and there are executive orders already prepared for his signature. Those orders will end diversity, equity and inclusion funding, crack down on border crossings and ease regulations on oil and natural gas production.
Immigration
He will declare a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, send US troops to help support immigration agents and restrict refugees and asylum. He's also pledged to restart a policy that forced asylum seekers to wait over the border in Mexico, but officials didn't say whether Mexico would accept migrants again.
The economy
Trump is set to sign orders to ease regulatory burdens on oil and natural gas production, including an order tied to Alaska. And he'll sign a memorandum seeking a broad-based government approach to bring down inflation.
Diversity, equity and inclusion and transgender rights
Trump is rolling back protections for transgender people and terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programmes within the federal government. Both are major shifts for the federal policy and are in line with Trump's campaign trail promises. One order would declare that the federal government would recognise only two immutable sexes: male and female.
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: Donald Trump Enters Capitol Rotunda
President-elect Donald Trump has entered the Capitol Rotunda for his swearing-in ceremony.
Trump was cheered by everyone as he entered and shook his hands with Vance and greeted other members of his family seated in the first rows.
Vice President-elect JD Vance entered the room before him and shook President Joe Biden’s hand as he walked to his seat.
US Oath Ceremony LIVE: JD Vance Takes Oath As Vice President
JD Vance took oath as vice president of the United States under the administration of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and was surrounded by his family.
Unlike the president, an oath for the vice president is not specified in the Constitution. Instead, it was created by Congress and appears in the US Code.
It’s also the same oath that is taken by other federal officials, including lawmakers.
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: Donald Trump Takes Oath As President Of USA
Donald Trump on Monday taking oath as the President of the United States of America read, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Donald Trump Oath Ceremony LIVE: Donald Trump Delivers His Inaugural Address
The 47th president, Donald Trump delivered his his inaugural address right after he took oath and claimed, " Golden age of America begins now, will put America first".
Continuing to speak, Trump stated, “The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and government will end".
He said he is “confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success.”
He added during his inaugural address that “a tide of change is sweeping the country.”
“Sunlight is pouring over the entire world and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before,” Trump said.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: 'I Was Saved By God', Says Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump in his inaugural speech mentioned about the two failed assassination attempts when he mentioned that he was 'saved by God to 'Make America Great Again'".
He also announced that January 20 will now become 'liberation day' for all Americans. He reportedly said, "It is my hope that our recent presidential election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country."
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Trump Says Southern Borders Will Be Closed
Donald Trump durin his ianugural speech confirmed that he will announce national emergency on southern borders in attempt to halt all illegal entries. He said the authorities will begin the process of sending back “criminal elements” back to Mexico.
The criminal cartels will now be referred to as foreign terrorist organisations.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Trump Declares 'National Energy Emergency' To Help Reduce Prices
President Donald Trump, in his first minutes in office, said he is declaring a “national energy emergency” to help to bring down prices, one of his key campaign promises.
“We will drill, baby, drill,” he said during his inaugural address on Monday.
Trump claimed in the speech that “the inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices.”
The new president also said he is going to direct his Cabinet to use “the vast powers at their disposal” to bring down the cost of goods.
- CNN
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Trump Vows To Begin Overhaul Of Trade System To Protect America
Donald Trump during his inaugural speech vowed to "immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families."
He said, “We will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens,” And addded, “For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues.”
He said that this will bring in 'massive' amounts of money to the country’s treasury which will be coming from foreign sources.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Gulf of Mexico To Be Renamed Gulf of America
President Donald Trump declared that he will change the name of Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America from today as part of his many scheduled actions for the first day.
Trump said, "America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth — inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world"
"A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America," he added.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Trump Government To Recognize Only Two Genders - Male And Female
Donald Trump declared that the government policy under his regime would recognize “only two genders: male and female." He also vowed to end efforts to “socially engineer race and gender” in public and private life, pledging instead to create a society that is “colorblind and merit-based.”
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Trump Wants To Plant An American Flag On Mars
Donald Trump says he wants to send American astronauts to Mars, saying he “will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars” and “plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.”
Billionaire Elon Musk of SpaceX threw his hands up in the air as Trump announced the US would plant its flag on Mars.
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: 'Milions & Millions Of Criminal Aliens' To Be Deported, Says Trump
Trump said “all illegal entry will immediately be halted,” with few details on how he will achieve that. He said he would end the practice of releasing migrants in the United States to pursue asylum, known as “catch-and-release,” but didn't say how he would pay for the enormous costs of detention.
Part of his plan relies on resuming the “Remain in Mexico” policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in US immigration court, a hallmark of his first term. The Mexican government has agreed, signalling perhaps one of the most concrete and immediate changes that will be seen at the border.
Trump said little about his plans for mass deportation, saying only that he would deport “millions and millions of criminal aliens.”
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Carrie Underwood Performs 'America the Beautiful'
Country music star Carrie Underwood is performing “America the Beautiful” at today's inauguration.
“I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement shortly after the news broke. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
But Underwood has avoided discussing politics across her career, in 2019 telling The Guardian, “I feel like more people try to pin me places politically. I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins. It's crazy. Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it's black and white. And it's not like that.”
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Trump Claims Panama Violated Treat Agreements
President Donald Trump claimed Monday during his inaugural address that Panama has violated treaty agreements that require neutrality in the canal’s operations.
“American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy,” Trump claimed. “
And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back.
- CNN
Donald Trump Inauguration LIVE: Trump Pledges To Become 'Peacemaker' And 'Unifier'
Donald Trump in his inaugural speech shared that he wants to become the “peace maker and unifier” while building “the strongest military we have ever seen.”
He said, “Like in 2017, we will again build the strongest military the world has ever seen. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end and perhaps, most importantly, the wars we never get into."