Donald Trump has officially returned to the White House as the 47th President of the United States, marking a historic second, non-consecutive term following his initial presidency from 2017 to 2021.
The inauguration ceremony, held indoors at the U.S. Capitol due to extreme cold, featured approximately 700 attendees, a sharp contrast to the 250,000 initially anticipated.
Vice President JD Vance, former U.S. Senator from Ohio, was sworn in first, followed by Trump at 12 p.m. ET. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office, with First Lady Melania Trump holding the Bible as Trump vowed to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
In his inaugural address, Trump proclaimed the start of a “golden age of America,” pledging to prioritize the nation’s interests. “We will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. I will, very simply, put America first,” he stated, emphasizing his vision for making the country “the envy of every nation.”
World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, extended their congratulations, expressing hopes for constructive dialogue on critical global issues.
More details to follow.