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down in the trumps

Donald Trump loses his ‘winning smile’ as the President-elect looks far from happy about his inauguration

MAYBE it was 'big day' nerves or the realisation of the task ahead but Donald Trump lost his famous smile ahead of his historic inauguration.

The normally beaming billionaire looked pretty glum as he headed off to be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

 The billionaire looked down in the dumps with wife Melania
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The billionaire looked down in the dumps with wife MelaniaCredit: AP:Associated Press
 TV images caught the President-elect looking more than a bit strained
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TV images caught the President-elect looking more than a bit strained

The Republican seemed stony-faced throughout this morning as the smile which won him millions of votes went AWOL just when he needed it most.

And he wasn't alone.

Political rival Hillary Clinton was also pictured with a face like thunder as she and hubby Bill arrived at the US Capitol for their front row seats.

Earlier in the day, the billionaire's son insisted his father wasn't at all nervous about his new job.

Speaking to Good Morning America , Donald Jr was asked if his dad was showing any signs of nerves.

“He's not a guy who gets nervous all that easy,” he laughed.

“He's one of those rare types that can harness that energy and usually turn it into a positive. I see him usually do better under pressure than any other way.”

The day certainly seemed to start bright enough for The Don.

"It all begins today! I will see you at 11:00 A.M. for the swearing-in. THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES - THE WORK BEGINS!" he tweeted before observing a series of time-honoured inauguration traditions.

 Even when he did smile it looked a more than a bit forced
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Even when he did smile it looked a more than a bit forcedCredit: Getty Images
 Hillary Clinton also looked far from happy ahead of the ceremony
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Hillary Clinton also looked far from happy ahead of the ceremonyCredit: Getty Images

He attended a prayer service at St. John's Church before heading to the White House, where he was greeted warmly by President Barack Obama, capping a transfer of power that has been peaceful yet rancorous.

"Mr President-elect, how are you?" Obama asked his successor, after having deposited a letter in the Resolute desk and left the Oval Office for the last time.

After morning tea, Trump, Obama and their wives Melania and Michelle travelled the 2.5 miles down Pennsylvania Avenue to the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol.

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in the centre of Washington to celebrate a man whose short 19-month political career has defied all predictions.

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