Trump’s inauguration: In pictures

Defining images as 47th US president takes office

US President Donald Trump takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on 20 January, 2025 in Washington, DC

Defining images as 47th US president takes office

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By the Visual Journalism team 21 January 2025 News

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th US president in an inauguration ceremony that combined grand tradition and moments of intimacy.

Here are some of the most striking images from the day.

US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administers the presidential oath to Donald Trump in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington DC

US President Donald Trump after speaking during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on 20 January

US President Donald Trump signing executive orders in the Oval Office

US President Donald Trump dressed in a black tuxedo and first lady Melania Trump in a mainly white ballgown dance at the Commander in Chief Ball

Last minute change of plan

The ceremony usually takes place on a specially built stage in front of the US Capitol building, with VIP guests on the platform and thousands watching from the Mall.

But a forecast of freezing temperatures with a wind chill of -13C (9F) prompted a decision to move the ceremony inside the Capitol building's Rotunda.

Trump supporters who had travelled to the capital to see the ceremony have flocked to the Capital One arena to watch it streamed live on big screens.

Preparations inside the Rotunda building

A staff member places a marker for the first lady ahead of the inauguration in the Rotunda

Church service

Trump spent the night before the inauguration at Blair House, just across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, as is tradition for incoming presidents.

Trump, his wife Melania, and incoming Vice-President JD Vance and his wife Usha attended a church service at St John’s Episcopal Church.

President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump arrive for a service at St John's Episcopal Church — President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive for a service at St John's Episcopal Church

Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance arrive for a service at St John's Episcopal Church — Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha arrive for the service

Donald Trump sits next to his wife Melania during a church service at St John's Episcopal Church — Donald Trump sits next to his wife Melania during the church service

Rotunda ceremony

Guests at the inauguration ceremony in the Rotunda of the Capitol building included former presidents, foreign dignitaries, Trump's family and his picks for his new administration.

Elon Musk checks his photo in the Rotunda — Among them were tech giants, including Elon Musk

President Obama was among other former presidents at the ceremony

Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump was in the audience with her husband Donald Trump Jr — Trump's daughter Ivanka was also close by

Country music artist Carrie Underwood performs during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC — Country music star Carrie Underwood performed “America the Beautiful” following Trump's inaugural address

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni shares a joke wth Argentina's President Javier Milei — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentina's President Javier Milei were among the first foreign leaders to attend a US presidential inauguration

JD Vance is sworn in as the US Vice President — JD Vance was sworn in as the US Vice President

Lorenzo Sewell delivered a benediction after President Donald Trump was sworn in — Pastor Lorenzo Sewell delivered a benediction before the end of the ceremony

Trump took the oath, before celebrating with his family.

In his inaugural address, Trump detailed a string of plans for his presidency including tackling immigration, taking control of the Panama Canal and planting the stars and stripes on Mars.

Public reaction

Trump supporters at the Capital One arena were jubilant, cheering as they followed the songs, ceremony and speeches. But elsewhere, people marched in protest at the prospect of four years of Trump in power.

Duane Schwyngel raises his hands inside Capital One arena — Supporters at the Capital One arena were in a celebratory mood

Elon Musk gestures at the podium inside the Capital One arena — Elon Musk drew controversy at the event with a gesture some onlookers described as a Nazi salute - he later called the criticism a "tired" attack

Attendees cheer inside Capital One arena ahead of an indoor rally on the day of the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, in Washington, U.S. January 20, 202 — Thousands of supporters had crowded into the arena to watch events unfold

Trump supporters are celebrating during a watch party of the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump in Miami, Florida, USA, 20 January 2025 — And across the country they joined watch parties of the inauguration, including in Miami

Demonstrators holding placards in London march against Trump — At a demonstration in London, they were not so keen

Protesters in Panama carry flags and a banner that says the Panama Canal is not for sale — In Panama, protesters sent the message that the canal was not for sale

A woman holds an US flag stained with red paint during a protest outside the US embassy in Mexico — In Mexico, protesters tore US flags and burned effigies

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave the US Capitol with former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden as they walk towards Marine One during the 2025 Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol — After the ceremony, Donald Trump and Melania Trump left the US Capitol with Joe and Jill Biden

Second lady Usha Vance, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave as former US President Joe Biden and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris depart the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC — The former president and his wife left Washington in a US Marine helicopter, waved off by the Vances and the Trumps

The former president and his wife left the Capitol in a US Marine helicopter

Oval Office return

Once the ceremony was over, Trump began his presidency by signing a flurry of executive actions, including starting the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization and declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border.

He also issued nearly 1,600 pardons in connection with the Capitol riots on 6 January 2021.

US President Donald Trump signs numerous executive orders in front of the press

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles watches as US President Donald Trump signs executive orders — Senior aides including new White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were present

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt looks on as US President Donald Trump signs executive orders — And White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt kept a watchful eye on proceedings

President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office

Inaugural balls

The president and vice-president rounded off the day by attending a series of balls – the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.