What time is Trump’s inauguration? How to watch the events

A Guide to Donald Trump’s Historic Return as 47th US President

Donald Trump, the 45th and now 47th President of the United States, is set to be inaugurated on Monday in Washington, DC, marking a remarkable political comeback. Due to freezing temperatures, the ceremony has been moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, a departure from his outdoor inauguration eight years ago on the Capitol steps.

Here’s what to know about the schedule, attendees, and celebrations surrounding this historic event:

What time is Trump’s inauguration? How to watch the events

When and Where is the Inauguration?

The US Constitution mandates the inauguration occur at noon ET on January 20, with the president taking the 35-word oath of office. Trump will place his hand on a Bible and repeat the oath administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. His running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, will be sworn in as Vice President moments before.

This year’s ceremony coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, only the third time in history this overlap has occurred, following Clinton’s 1997 and Obama’s 2013 inaugurations.

Due to freezing weather, Trump announced the inauguration and speeches will take place indoors at the US Capitol Rotunda. A live viewing of the ceremony and parade will also be hosted at the Capital One Arena in Washington, with speeches starting around 11:30 AM ET.

Weather Forecast

The Weather Channel predicts a high of 24°F (-4.4°C) and a low of 9°F (-13°C), with partly sunny skies. Wind chills are expected to make conditions feel significantly colder, and Sunday may bring 1–3 inches of snow.

How to Watch the Inauguration

The inauguration will be broadcast live across the US, UK, Australia, and other regions:

• US: Coverage begins at midnight ET on CNN, with all major networks streaming live.
• UK: BBC One, Sky News, ITV, and Channel 4 will provide live coverage starting at 3:30 PM GMT.
• Australia: Free-to-air networks ABC, Seven, Nine, Ten, and SBS will broadcast the event from 2:30–3:30 AM AEDT on Tuesday.

Live streams will also be available on CSPAN’s YouTube channel and the White House website.

Trump’s Inaugural Address

Following the swearing-in, Trump will deliver his inaugural address. In his 2017 address, he spoke of “American carnage” and an “America First” vision. This time, he is expected to outline key policy initiatives, including closing the southern border, launching large-scale deportations, and pardoning January 6 participants. He may also address his plans to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine within six months.

Notable Attendees

The ceremony will host a mix of prominent figures, including:

• Former Presidents: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. (Michelle Obama and Nancy Pelosi have declined to attend.)
• Foreign Leaders: Xi Jinping, Viktor Orbán, Javier Milei, and Nayib Bukele.
• Tech Executives: Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Shou Zi Chew.
• Celebrities: Jake and Logan Paul, Theo Von, Caitlyn Jenner, and Megyn Kelly.

Before the event was moved indoors, around 250,000 ticketed guests were expected, along with thousands of protesters. Security will include 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel, 7,800 National Guard troops, and officers from across the country.

What time is Trump’s inauguration? How to watch the events

Inaugural Celebrations and Performances

• Pre-Inaugural Events: Fireworks at Trump’s Virginia golf club, a rally at Capital One Arena, and a candlelight dinner.
• Inauguration Day: A church service at St. John’s, tea with the Bidens, and a congressional luncheon. Three inaugural balls—Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Ball, and Starlight Ball—will feature performances by Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, the Village People, and Gavin DeGraw.

Historic Significance

At 78 years old, Trump becomes the oldest president to take office. He also joins Grover Cleveland as the only presidents to serve non-consecutive terms, with Cleveland returning to office in 1893.

The last indoor inauguration due to extreme cold occurred in 1985 for Ronald Reagan.

The festivities will conclude on Tuesday with a national prayer service at Washington National Cathedral.

What time is Trump’s inauguration? How to watch the events