Washington is set to roll out the red carpet for President-elect Trump.
In 2017, Trump felt like an outsider setting up shop in the nation's capital. The upset winner of that year's presidential election failed to win the popular vote and faced hostility from the media, business, and political circles.
This year's celebrations come after Mr. Trump won the popular vote in an election in which he was often considered the favorite, especially as the media and corporate America look to make a fresh start with the next administration. It feels like a triumphant return for its allies. .
“When we won in 2016, the legitimacy of the victory was immediately called into question. There was immediate resistance among the media and even within some of our own party. Sean Spicer, who served as President Trump's first press secretary, said there were people who bowed down to donate money to Trump's inauguration.
A number of celebrations are being planned to mark the impending start of President Trump's second term.
Trump himself is scheduled to speak at a “victory rally” on Sunday at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. Monday's inauguration ceremony was held indoors due to bitterly cold weather, but thousands of supporters attended. People are expected to flock to Washington.
Dozens of companies have donated millions of dollars to President Trump's inaugural fund in hopes of earning a seat at the table with the incoming administration, and Trump's first-term ally, billionaire Jeff Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are scheduled to take the stage.
Fierce resistance from Democrats in 2017 led some lawmakers to vow to work with Trump as much as possible.
“I think it’s going to be interesting on the first day to see what the tone and tenor is,” Spicer added. “He actually has more than that. An arrogance and confidence that I don't think was necessarily present in 2016.”
In 2017, dozens of Democrats boycotted President Trump's inauguration. Companies largely avoided funding the president's inauguration, and the inauguration itself was less attended than previous years, frustrating Mr. Trump.
He has received a warm welcome this time, even though celebrities such as former First Lady Michelle Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are expected to skip Monday's ceremony.
Many large companies, including Google, Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, and Ford Motor Co., have donated at least $1 million to President Trump's inaugural fund.
Several CEOs have visited Mar-a-Lago to meet with President Trump, try to befriend him and gain a foothold in the incoming administration. A number of Big Tech leaders will be given special seats at President Trump's swearing-in ceremony, including Mr. Zuckerberg, Mr. Bezos, and the CEOs of Google, TikTok and Apple. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a powerful ally of Mr. Trump, is also expected to attend.
Zuckerberg is co-host a reception Monday night for donors in Washington. The first-ever “Crypto Ball” will be held on Friday and will reflect the Trump administration's hopes for the cryptocurrency industry. And notable musicians including Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Village People are scheduled to perform at President Trump's inaugural event.
A “Victory Rally” was held Sunday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., featuring notable speakers and musical performances including Kid Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Democratic leaders have also hinted at further acceptance of President Trump, starting with the city hosting the inauguration.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser met with President Trump in late December to discuss “shared priorities for the President's second term.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) meets with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, talks with controversial Trump Cabinet nominees, and says he's interested in the incoming administration if it will benefit Pennsylvania. expressed his intention to support the policy.
Symbolizing President Trump's growing support in some areas of Washington, the president-elect had a long and friendly conversation with former President Barack Obama during the state funeral of the late President Carter. The two could be seen talking while President Obama laughed.
“If you look at Establishment DC, I think they realize what a disaster Joe Biden was. That's why they're clamoring to roll out the red carpet for Trump.” said one Republican strategist connected to Trump's trajectory.
The strategist suggested that the fact that Trump is in a lame duck status for the time being, having already served one term, may also make some critics more accepting of the current president.
“He can't seek a second term, so we're not going to put up a ton of roadblocks,” the strategist said.
Monday's inauguration may not be quite what Trump envisioned, especially as President Trump is obsessed with crowd size and notoriety. I'm annoyed by the image A view of the National Mall during the first inauguration ceremony.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held in the Capitol Rotunda, making it the first indoor inauguration since President Ronald Reagan in 1985. Supporters will be able to watch the ceremony from Capital One Arena as elected officials and dignitaries fill the Capitol. President Trump is scheduled to head to the arena Monday afternoon in a modified indoor version of the traditional presidential parade.
“Everyone will be safe, everyone will be happy, and together we will make America great again!” President Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday.
