President-elect Donald Trump will take a victory lap at a campaign-style rally in Washington, D.C., a day before he is sworn in for his second term, four years after losing re-election.
The “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at the Capital One Arena is just one of the many events celebrating the incoming administration. It will also be Trump’s first major speech in Washington since he urged his supporters to march on January 6, 2021.
Freezing cold weather is gripping much of the northeastern U.S., so the inauguration ceremony on Monday has been moved inside to the Capitol’s rotunda. The last time this happened was at Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985.
The president-elect, Melania Trump, and their son, Barron Trump, arrived in the D.C. area on Saturday evening and traveled to Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, to watch a fireworks display.
Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters marched to the Lincoln Memorial echoing the demonstrations when Trump first assumed office.
The Independent has learned that Trump will begin his term with only one-quarter of the staff he needs — a notable failure of the Project 2025 plan to fill all roles from day one.
Bannon mocks Musk, Zuckerberg and Bezos as Trump ‘supplicants’
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 21:48
Watch: Justin Quiles says he loves Trump because he’s not a puppet
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 21:39
Who is performing tomorrow at Trump’s inauguration?
However, the inauguration ceremony will be more than just a swearing-in — Trump’s team has just released the schedule of events, revealing those who will perform at the event, The Spectator World reports.
Here’s what you need to know about the line-up for Trump and Vances’ inauguration:
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 21:30
Kid Rock kicks of this afternoon’s performances
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 21:04
Watch: Opening prayer at Trump victory rally
“Every tongue that rises up against you in judgment will be condemned…”
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 21:00
Elon Musk among scheduled speakers at today’s Trump victory rally — here’s who else is coming up…
Trump family members will also speak at the rally at Capital One Arena — which kicked off at 3:30 p.m. — here’s who else is speaking and performing:
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:50
GOP leaders briefed on Trump’s first executive orders
The Wall Street Journal reports that Stephen Miller, Donald Trump’s incoming White House deputy chief of staff for policy, briefed Republican leaders earlier this afternoon about the executive orders the new president is expected to issue after being sworn in tomorrow.
That includes declaring a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border, rescinding Biden administration directives on diversity, equity and inclusion, and unwinding President Joe Biden’s limits on drilling offshore and on federal land.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:46
TikTok back online and thanks ‘efforts of President Trump’
President-elect Donald Trump intervened on Sunday by announcing he would issue an executive order on Monday to give TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, a reprieve after the ban on the Chinese-owned app came into effect.
Rhian Lubin has been following developments today.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:40
Nelly responds to backlash over performance at Trump inauguration ball
Rapper Nelly has responded after facing backlash for his decision to perform at one of Donald Trump’s inauguration balls on Monday (January 20).
Tom Murray has the story.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:20
As he returns to the White House, Trump will begin ‘two year race’ to change America and the world
David Maddox, The Independent’s political editor, reports from Washington, D.C.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:00
