First inauguration of Donald Trump
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on January 20, 2017, at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Mike Pence became the 48th vice president. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the presidential oath, and Associate Justice Clarence Thomas administered Pence’s oath. Trump spoke with his left hand on two Bibles, including the Lincoln Bible. He was 70 years old, making him the oldest president to take office at that time.
The inauguration began a week of events, including concerts, a national prayer service, a luncheon, a parade along Pennsylvania Avenue, and three official inaugural balls. The organizers used the theme “Uniquely American” to emphasize a peaceful transfer of power.
Two committees ran the ceremony: the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and the 2017 Presidential Inaugural Committee, led by Thomas Barrack Jr. The event drew hundreds of thousands of attendees; crowd estimates varied but were commonly placed around 300,000 to 600,000. The committee raised about $107 million, with much of the money paid to event-planning firms and to the Trump hotel. Some spending and donations drew scrutiny and later investigations.
Before the big day, Trump hosted a high-profile “Chairman’s Global Dinner” for foreign diplomats, and there was a public concert at the Lincoln Memorial and other public events, including a wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery. On January 19, a large public celebration continued with concerts and other activities in the Capitol area, followed by an inaugural luncheon.
On inauguration day, six religious leaders gave blessings, and Jackie Evancho sang the national anthem. Trump’s 16-minute inaugural address emphasized American nationalism and an “America First” approach. Some historians described the speech as dark in tone, while supporters saw it as a bold message.
After the oath, Trump and the new administration attended a luncheon, then watched the inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue from the presidential reviewing stand. Trump also signed his first presidential actions that day, including a waiver to allow James Mattis to serve as defense secretary.
That evening, Trump and Pence attended three official inaugural balls, where they met with guests and danced. On January 21, a national day of prayer was held at the Washington National Cathedral, with leaders from many faiths and a performance by Marlana VanHoose.
The inauguration was accompanied by protests and strong security. Thousands demonstrated peacefully, while a smaller number engaged in disruptive acts, resulting in hundreds of arrests.
Crowd size and media coverage became a major point of contention. Officials and media outlets criticized some Trump administration tallies, while others defended them. Television and online viewership figures varied, with different sources giving different estimates.
Investigations followed the inauguration’s finances, including questions about foreign donations and straw contributions. A fundraiser named Sam Patten pleaded guilty in 2018 to related charges. In 2020, lawsuits over payments to Trump’s hotel for inauguration-related events were settled.
Overall, Trump’s inauguration was a historic and polarizing moment, signaling the start of a controversial chapter in American politics.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 23:54 (CET).