How can I watch the Donald Trump inauguration live in the UK and what happens today? Full timetable and line-up
DONALD Trump will become the 45th President of the United States today when he is sworn in on the steps of the US Capitol.
The businessman will become one of the most powerful men in the world when he takes the oath of office in a lavish ceremony.
Here's what to expect and where to follow a historic day in Washington DC.
Where can I watch Donald Trump's inauguration?
Follow all the drama, reaction and video from across The Pond here on The Sun Online.
We'll be bringing you all the latest as Trump takes office with our live blogs and expert analysis.
BBC and ITV will be running live coverage of the inauguration from 4pm.
What is the order of ceremony at Trump's inauguration?
- All times in GMT.
- 2.30pm - Inauguration ceremony begins
- 4.30pm - Opening remarks
- 5pm - Donald Trump takes his oath of office
- 5.30pm - Formal ceremony ends
- 8pm - 10pm - Inauguration parade
- 12am - 2am - Inaugural balls
Who is performing?
The Radio City Rockettes have agreed to perform for the president, after accepting his invitation last year.
The dance troupe was reportedly split, however, after some of the group said they didn't want to perform.
The award-winning Mormon Tabernacle Choir are favourites at the inauguration, having previously performed at the past five.
The choir has 360 members but one member has dropped out after refusing to sing for Trump.
She was just ten years old when she was on the TV show six years ago.
Commenting after her appearance was confirmed, Trump tweeted: "Jackie Evancho's album sales have skyrocketed after announcing her Inauguration performance.
"Some people just don't understand the 'Movement'".
Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley is also expected to perform, .
Country star Toby Keith is down to perform and said: "I don’t apologise for performing for our country or military."
Rockers 3 Doors Down will take to the stage, while outspoken rapper Azealia Banks put herself forward to perform after declaring herself "very upset" at the the existing lineup.
Country singer Lee Greenwood, Sam Moore from soul duo Sam and Dave, and Midnight Cowboy actor Jon Voight will be among the other acts at the historic event.
When is Trump’s inauguration?
Donald Trump‘s is today when he will be sworn in on the steps of the US Capitol at noon (local time).
The Republican nominee achieved one of the most improbable political victories in modern US history – despite a series of controversies that would easily have destroyed other candidacies, including ‘locker room banter’ about sexual assault, mocking a reporter with disabilities, inciting his supporters to violence and allegations that his campaign pandered to the American far-right.
He has pledged to unite America after his shock election win and now the tough work starts – turning the rhetoric into workable and affordable policies.
In his last speech as president, Obama said: “The peaceful transfer of power from one freely elected president to the next, I committed to President-elect Trump my administration would ensure the smoothest transition, just as President Bush did for me.”
Presidents have been inaugurated on January 20 since Franklin D. Roosevelt took the oath of office in 1937, moving up from the previous day of March 4.
The swearing-in is just one of the day’s activities.
Traditionally, presidents have started the day with a morning worship service.
Then the president and president-elect traditionally travel together to the inauguration.
The Vice President – in this case Indiana Governor Mike Pence – will be sworn in first. Then it will be Trump’s turn.
He will take the traditional oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Trump will be sworn in using two Bibles – his own, and the one used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration in 1861, and the oath will be administered by Chief Justice John Roberts.
The Lincoln Bible is bound in burgundy velvet, and was also used for Barack Obama’s inaugurations in 2009 and 2013.
Who is going to Donald Trump’s inauguration?
Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, who has said he wants to be a bridge between the British government and the new US administration, will attend Trump’s inauguration.
Farage, who will attend the event as a guest of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, spoke at a Trump rally in Mississippi during the US presidential campaign and was the first British politician to meet the president-elect after his victory, ahead of Prime Minister Theresa May.
Asked if he would be attending Trump’s inauguration, Farage told Sky News: “I certainly am, I can’t wait.
“The governor of Mississippi has invited me and I’m there for a few days and it’s going to be a great, historic event. In America they’ve had a political revolution and it’s complete; the problem in Britain is our revolution is not complete because the same people are still in charge.”
What happens on Inauguration Day?
Obama has five things to do today before handing over to Trump.
- Issue pardons. One of the most controversial pardons was issued by President Gerald Ford TO predecessor Richard Nixon – who had just stepped down after the Watergate scandal.
- Welcome the Incoming President George and Laura Bush hosted the Obamas for coffee at the White House before the ceremony.
- Leave a note for the new President Bush’s note to Obama wished the new leader well on the “fabulous new chapter” he was about to begin.
- Attend the Inauguration President Obama will attend Trump’s swearing-in and inauguration, then be escorted from the Capitol by their successors, Donald and Melania.
- Helicopter out of Washington This has happened at every ceremony since Gerald Ford’s in 1977.
What will be Trump's first job?
It is highly-likely the explosive “dirty dossier” on Trump’s alleged links to Russia will rumble on until after his inauguration.
The unsubstantiated 35-page report contains deeply damaging material that could be used to blackmail the president-elect written by former British MI-6 intelligence agent Christopher Steele, 52, who fled his Surrey home soon before his identity was made public.
A furious Trump let rip at a press conference following the report's coverage, slamming it as "fake news".
He said: “Does anyone believe that story? I’m also a germaphobe, by the way. Believe me.
“I think it is a disgrace that information was let out. It is all fake news. It is phony stuff. It didn’t happen."
Once the attention is back on his presidency, the billionaire is likely to focus on the subject closest to his heart, which has always been immigration.
Trump has promised to start deporting “more than two million criminal illegal immigrants” straight away.
He has also threatened to cancel visas to any country that refuses to accept its people being returned.
So if Britain did not allow the illegal aliens back into the country, none of our citizens would be permission to enter the US.
So it looks like THAT wall is going up then?
Trump is still guaranteeing to “build a wall” on the US’s border with Mexico and to get its government to pay for it.
His End Illegal Immigration Act would also impose an automatic two-year prison sentence on anyone illegally re-entering the US after a previous deportation. America already has one of the highest prison populations in the world.
The Mexican peso went into near free-fall in chaotic trading as new of Trump’s success spread.
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