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President-elect Donald Trump will take a victory lap at a campaign-style rally in Washington, D.C., a day before he is sworn in for his second term, four years after losing re-election.
The “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” begins at 3 p.m. ET at the Capital One Arena and is just one of the many events to celebrate the incoming administration. It will also be Trump’s first major speech in Washington since he urged his supporters to march on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Freezing cold weather is gripping much of the northeastern U.S., so the inauguration ceremony on Monday has been moved inside to the Capitol’s rotunda. The last time this happened was at Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985.
The president-elect, Melania Trump, and their son, Barron Trump, arrived in the D.C. area on Saturday evening and traveled to Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, to watch a fireworks display.
Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters marched to the Lincoln Memorial echoing the demonstrations when Trump first assumed office.
The Independent has learned that Trump will begin his term with only one-quarter of the staff he needs — a notable failure of the Project 2025 plan to fill all roles from day one.
Watch: Opening prayer at Trump victory rally
“Every tongue that rises up against you in judgment will be condemned…”
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 21:04
Kid Rock kicks of this afternoon’s performances
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:54
Elon Musk among scheduled speakers at today’s Trump victory rally — here’s who else is coming up…
Trump family members will also speak at the rally at Capital One Arena — which kicked off at 3:30 p.m. — here’s who else is speaking and performing:
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:50
GOP leaders briefed on Trump’s first executive orders
The Wall Street Journal reports that Stephen Miller, Donald Trump’s incoming White House deputy chief of staff for policy, briefed Republican leaders earlier this afternoon about the executive orders the new president is expected to issue after being sworn in tomorrow.
That includes declaring a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border, rescinding Biden administration directives on diversity, equity and inclusion, and unwinding President Joe Biden’s limits on drilling offshore and on federal land.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:44
TikTok back online and thanks ‘efforts of President Trump’
President-elect Donald Trump intervened on Sunday by announcing he would issue an executive order on Monday to give TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, a reprieve after the ban on the Chinese-owned app came into effect.
Rhian Lubin has been following developments today.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:40
Nelly responds to backlash over performance at Trump inauguration ball
Rapper Nelly has responded after facing backlash for his decision to perform at one of Donald Trump’s inauguration balls on Monday (January 20).
Tom Murray has the story.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:30
Watch LIVE: Trump holds victory rally in Washington DC ahead of presidential inauguration
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:14
As he returns to the White House, Trump will begin ‘two year race’ to change America and the world
David Maddox, The Independent’s political editor, reports from Washington, D.C.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 20:00
Was the whole TikTok ban drama a bait-and-switch to make Trump look good?
Skeptics have highlighted how Trump was the one who initially called for the controversial Chinese-owned social media app to be banned in 2020. But since Trump’s following on TikTok grew — he has now amassed 14.8 million followers — and he hinted it helped to clinch the election, the president-elect has changed his tune.
Rhian Lubin and John Bowden report.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 19:40
EDITORIAL: The world awaits promise and peril with Trump’s second act
President-elect Donald Trump is not someone who plays down expectations, whether about himself or the United States. And he raises the expectations of others accordingly. His re-entry onto the world stage after his victory in last year’s election prompted urgent shifts in international dynamics on the part of national leaders around the world, simply in anticipation. From midday on Monday, Mr Trump’s power is real. With it comes promise – and peril.
Oliver O’Connell19 January 2025 19:25
