On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump is set to become the 47th president of the United States. The inauguration will mark the start of his official second term, this time with J.D. Vance as his vice president, and he will become the second president in history to serve two nonconsecutive terms.
During the inauguration, Trump and Vance will be sworn into office, and Trump will give an inaugural address. Country music star Carrie Underwood has confirmed that she will sing “America the Beautiful” during the event, and an assorted crew of Trump-friendly celebrities, among them the Paul brothers and Caitlyn Jenner, will be there too.
Ahead of Trump’s second term, here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 inauguration, including how to stream it and what we can expect from protesters in the days leading up to it.
What will the January 20 event look like?
The 2025 inauguration marks the 60th inauguration ceremony in the US. As has been the case since 1981, it will be held on the West Front of the Capitol. Since 1901, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has been in charge of planning and executing this event. Traditionally, there is a procession to the Capitol followed by the vice president’s swearing-in, the president’s swearing-in, the inaugural address, an honorary departure, a signing ceremony, and a luncheon. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, will lead the opening prayer. The announcement that Underwood would perform made waves, as she's a much bigger name than any of the performers at Trump's 2017 inauguration. Axios said this signals “that the entertainment industry's hesitance to embrace Trump has thawed since he left office.”
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement to CNN. “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.”
According to Glamour, Lee Greenwood will perform his song “Proud to Be an American,” which has been a standby at Trump rallies, and opera singer Chris Macchio will sing the national anthem.
More Trump faves are scheduled to perform at the Trump campaign's “Victory Rally” at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC, on Sunday, January 19, such as Kid Rock, Billy Rae Cyrus, and Rascal Flatts, according to Axios.
Notably, the ’70s disco group the Village People is also slated to perform. Trump really, really loves the song “Y.M.C.A.”
“We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear,” the Village People posted to Facebook, "however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics. Our song ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost.”
How can I watch the inauguration?
The inauguration should be available to watch live on any news channel, but if you’re looking to stream the event, here are a few places to choose from: News outlets, including CNN, ABC, CBS, and the New York Times are expected to livestream the event on their respective apps and YouTube channels, as they have for past inaugurations. Other likely streaming options include the White House Live Stream, live feeds on X (formerly Twitter), and the White House YouTube channel. Politico typically offers a livestreaming option too.
What politicians and special guests will attend?
The White House confirmed in late November that President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will attend the inauguration. Prior to the election, the president said he'd attend regardless of who won. In a January op-ed for the Washington Post, Biden wrote that he was “determined to do everything I can to respect the peaceful transfer of power and restore the traditions we have long respected in America,” including inviting Trump to meet with him at the White House on January 20 and attending his inauguration that day.
Trump skipped Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Weeks earlier, Trump had incited a riot at the US Capitol, urging his supporters to reject the election results and insisting he had rightfully won the presidency. Trump was the first president in more than 150 years to skip his replacement’s swearing-in, CNN reported.
The celebrity guests expected to be in attendance for Trump's inauguration are all public Trump boosters — a mix of athletes, media personalities, businessmen, and reality TV stars. TMZ reported that this includes conservative bro podcasters like the Nelk boys and Theo Von, United Fighting Championship CEO Dana White, and SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO — and current Trump bestie — Elon Musk.
In an unusual move Trump has invited world leaders to attend the event. Argentina’s conservative president Javier Milei is planning to attend, per the Associated Press, as is far-right British politician Nigel Farage. Trump also invited Chinese president Xi Jinping (although he likely won’t make it), and Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni also hopes to attend.
Other inauguration guests include members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, high-ranking military officials, former presidents and vice presidents, and Medal of Honor recipients. Trump’s family, including Melania Trump and their son, Barron, will be in attendance. Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton are all attending, according to the Associated Press, as will former first lady Laura Bush and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Michelle Obama will be skipping the event.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the Oath of Office to President Trump, while Justice Brett Kavanaugh will do so for VP Vance, CNN reported.
Are protests expected?
In 2017, amid Trump’s first inauguration, protests occurred across the US, with demonstrations also taking place around the world. In New York City, protests were held outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. In DC, roughly 200 people, including protesters, journalists, and medics, were arrested during protests by DisruptJ20, a group dedicated to protesting the inauguration of the 45th president. Many faced felony charges, but the government ultimately dropped the charges against dozens of defendants, secured 21 plea deals, and won zero jury convictions, according to The Intercept. The first Women’s March also took place the day after the inauguration, with more than 4 million people estimated to have marched throughout the country.
In response to Trump’s upcoming inauguration, organizations including the Women’s March, National Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Popular Democracy are planning to host another day of action with the People’s March on January 18 in DC, and events in other major cities are expected as well.
Some DC residents are asking local Airbnb hosts to take their rental properties off the platform during inauguration weekend as another form of protest, according to a report by Axios. One of the initiative’s organizers told the publication that she plans to provide her rental unit to friends attending the People’s March versus individuals in town for Trump’s inauguration.
With the 2025 inauguration falling on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, members of the National Action Network also plan to host a rally to speak out against Trump and honor MLK Jr.’s legacy. The Answer Coalition’s National Day of Action is also holding a rally at 11 a.m. at Malcolm X Park/Meridian Hill Park in DC.
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