Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking an unprecedented return to the White House for a second, non-consecutive term.
The historic ceremony, held indoors at the US Capitol due to extreme cold, began with Vice President JD Vance, a former Ohio senator, taking the oath of office. Trump was subsequently sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts at 12 p.m. ET (18:00 WAT), with First Lady Melania Trump by his side, holding the Bible for the oath.
Unlike previous inaugurations the event had a smaller audience of about 700 attendees, a sharp reduction from the usual 250,000 due to its indoor nature.
In his first speech as president, Trump expressed gratitude to his supporters and promised bold action to usher in what he described as a “golden age” for America.
“The golden age of America begins right now,” he declared, vowing to make the nation “the envy of every other country” and promising policies focused on putting “America first.” Trump’s inaugural address outlined ambitious plans for his second term, focusing on immigration reforms, economic revitalization, military strengthening, and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
“Our mission is clear: to secure our borders, grow our economy, strengthen our military, and protect the rights of every citizen,” he stated.
The president also hinted at immediate executive actions targeting immigration policies, energy independence, and new economic measures, marking a significant shift in the country’s governance.
Trump concluded by calling for a “revolution of common sense,” urging Americans to unite behind his vision for the country’s future.
He invited tech CEOs including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook as well as podcaster Joe Rogan.
Today’s inauguration, witnessed worldwide, marks a defining moment in American politics, as Trump returns to power in a historic and unprecedented second term.
Philips Babatunde