Trump Arrives in Washington for Inauguration Celebration Amid Record Cold

Trump Arrives in Washington for Inauguration Celebration Amid Record Cold

Donald Trump has landed in Washington for his second inauguration celebration, braving historically cold temperatures. The President-elect arrived on an Air Force plane sent by outgoing President Joe Biden, departing from Palm Beach, Florida, where he had been preparing for his transition to power following his victory in the November 5th election against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Accompanying him were his wife, Melania, daughter Ivanka, and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

After arriving at Dulles Airport in Virginia, Trump proceeded to his golf club in Sterling. To mark the occasion, Elvis Presley impersonator Leo Days performed for the incoming president and first lady at a pre-inauguration reception for about 500 guests, which concluded with a fireworks display.

Trump is scheduled to hold a rally at the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington on Sunday, followed by his inauguration ceremony on Monday afternoon. Due to a forecast of extreme cold, inaugural events have been relocated indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, marking the first indoor ceremony since Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985.

While the ceremony will take place at noon local time (1700 GMT), only a fraction of the 220,000 ticketed guests will gain entry, as the Rotunda and Capital One Arena have limited capacity. Many attendees who had traveled long distances expressed disappointment but remained enthusiastic about the event and its significance.

Once sworn in, Trump is expected to immediately begin enacting executive orders, focusing on migration and energy policies. His return to Washington marks a significant moment, as he had previously declined to attend Biden’s 2021 inauguration following the contentious 2020 election.