DONALD Trump has been forced to move his inauguration inside due to freezing weather, marking the first indoor ceremony since 1985.
Bone-chilling temperatures are threatening Trump’s big day on January 20 as tens of thousands of Americans flock to the Capitol to see the president-elect sworn in.
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Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are set to be sworn into office inside the US Capitol Rotunda due to the cold.
Attendees will watch the swearing-in at a live viewing from Washington’s Capitol One sports arena.
“It is my obligation to protect the people of our country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the inauguration itself,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country.
“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”
Washington DC is forecast to be at about 18 degrees when Trump is sworn in at noon on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast high for the Capitol is in the upper teens to low 20s.
Wind chills could make the conditions even icier.
The ceremony will take place on what could be the coldest inauguration day since 1985, when Ronald Reagan was sworn in indoors.
Reagan joked about the weather during his indoor ceremony 40 years ago.
“We stand again at the steps of this symbol of our democracy – well, we would have been standing at the steps if it hadn’t gotten so cold,” the late former president said with a laugh.
“Now we’re standing inside this symbol of our democracy.”
Trump is set to bring his guests into the ceremony
His guest list so far is expected to include tech bosses including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerburg, and Elon Musk.
Donald Trump confirms inauguration move
DONALD Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday to confirm that his inauguration will be moved inside.
“January 20th cannot come fast enough! Everybody, even those that initially opposed a Victory by President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Administration, just want it to happen. It is my obligation to protect the People of our Country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself. The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows. There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).
“Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather. The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol. This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!
“We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In.
“All other events will remain the same, including the Victory Rally at Capital One Arena, on Sunday at 3 P.M. (Doors open at 1 P.M.—Please arrive early!), and all three Inaugural Balls on Monday evening.
“Everyone will be safe, everyone will be happy, and we will, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
TikTok CEO Shou Chew is also slated to attend the ceremony – just one day after the popular app faces a total shutdown on Sunday.
“The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol,” Trump wrote.
“This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!”
Trump also warned his supporters to dress warmly if they plan on attending the festivities.
Attendees will watch the ceremony from just over a mile away at the Capitol One arena, which holds 20,000 people.
Over 220,000 free tickets to the inauguration were set to be distributed to the public after over 300,000 attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.
It’s unclear how it’ll now be decided who gets to attend the viewing party in the arena.
This year’s venue capacity means Trump’s inauguration crowd will be the smallest since Reagan’s inauguration in 1985, excluding President Joe Biden’s inauguration, which had limited attendance due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
PARADE PLANS
While Reagan’s inaugural parade was canceled, Trump’s parade will be held inside Washington’s Capitol One arena.
He promised to join his supporters after the ceremony.
The president-elect will also hold a victory rally at the arena at 3 pm, meaning supporters should prepare for a long day at the venue.
Trump told his supporters to arrive early for his rally.
“Everyone will be safe, everyone will be happy, and we will, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote.
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Since Reagan in 1985, the only other president to have a sub-freezing high temperature on their big day was Barack Obama at his first inauguration in 2009.
Obama is set to attend the inauguration without his wife, Michelle Obama, who hasn’t given a reason for her absence.
Meanwhile, outgoing President Biden and his wife Jill will be at the inauguration, despite Donald and Melania Trump skipping Biden’s ceremony in 2021.
President Bill Clinton and Hillary have also confirmed they’ll be in attendance on Monday.
The ceremony is set to begin around noon.
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