Donald Trump dances to YMCA with wife Melania and JD Vance at inauguration ball after signing flurry of executive orders
DONALD Trump has victory danced his way back into the White House with his wife Melania and new Vice President JD Vance at multiple glitzy inauguration balls.
Trump's first day back in Washington DC also included a spree of executive orders and January 6 pardons.
Jubilant Trump promised a "golden age of America" after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday.
He arrived to raucous cheers, chants and applause as he entered the Capital One Arena.
The MAGA man, 78, delivered on many of his promises to voters as he immediately withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords and World Health Organization, and signed to end government censorship of speech.
Trump signed dozens of orders and directives in what has been dubbed a "shock and awe" effort.
After staging one of the greatest political comebacks ever, Trump today vowed to usher in a "thrilling new era of national success."
And he insisted he was “saved by God to make America great again” after taking the oath of office in front of political elites, celebrities and influential billionaires in the Capitol Rotunda room.
It was the first time in decades the ceremony was held indoors as freezing temperatures grip Washington DC.
Trump said: "From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected. I will very simply put America first."
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Following the ceremony, Trump and wife Melania waved outgoing president Joe Biden and wife Jill goodbye as the choppered out of Washington DC.
In a jam-packed day, Trump enjoyed tea with the Bidens at the White House, his inauguration ceremony, and a luncheon.
Then he made his way to three different balls after the inauguration parade.
Trump stunned the world as he beat Kamala Harris to retake the White House.
The campaign saw him survive two assassination attempts and repeatedly weather legal storms, many of which Don raged were politically motivated.
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Trump reviews troops
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Credit: Reuters Vivek Ramaswamy out of DOGE
Vivek Ramaswamy will not serve in Trump's Department of Government Efficiency.
The entrepreneur was set to co-lead his cost-cutting team with Elon Musk.
Instead, Ramaswamy will run for governor Ohio, reports.
Trump at honors ceremony
Trump has watched a military review and honors ceremony in the Capitol Visitor Center.
The Commander-in-chief has seen troops from all four branches of the armed forces march in formation for him.
As president, Trump will be their ultimate boss and has powers to send them to war.
He is now set to depart the Capitol to address supporters at Capital One Arena.
Watch as Biden is told to stop farewell speech before asking 'where is exit?'
Joe Biden started his farewell speech before being told to stop in his first post-presidential gaffe.
The former president also asked which way he should exit the stage as he appeared clueless on stage following the handover of power to Trump.
Watch the clip here:
Biden makes another gaffe at farewell ceremonyLunch guests enjoy wine - as Trump knocks back a Diet Coke
Guests at Trump's inauguration luncheon were treated to a selection of fine wines.
But the newly sworn in president opted in to instead tuck into a Diet Coke.
Teetotal Trump knocked back the soft drink with ice in a glass.
Credit: Getty What is still to come?
- Trump will attend an inauguration parade around the Capital One Arena
- The president is expected to sign executive orders at the White House
- There will be three balls later today - the Liberty Ball, Commander in Chief Ball and Union Station Ball
Hints on tariffs given
Trump's inauguration will be making foreign countries nervous with the president pledging to slap tariffs on imports.
He pledged to create a "external revenue service" to collect the tax.
Trump’s pick for commerce secretary Howard Lutnick has now shared hints on the tariff.
He said: "Foreign companies are going to pay if they want to come and sell products to the wealthiest country on earth.
"If these companies don't want to pay, there's only one thing they can do. Build their factories in America, hire Americans with great high paying jobs."
Howard Lutnick, Trump's commerce secretary, speaks during an inauguration event Crowd chants as Elon Musk gives speech
The crowd at the Capital Arena cheered as Elon Musk took to the stage.
He declared: "This is what victory feels like."
Musk added: "And this was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization.
"You know, there are elections that come and go. Some elections are, you know, important, some are not.
"But this one, this one really mattered. And I just want to say thank you for making it happen."
The crowd chanted: "Elon! Elon!"
Credit: Alamy Trump's inauguration lunch in pictures
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Kamala Harris flies to LA
Disappointed Kamala Harris is flying back to Los Angeles today.
The former VP - who failed to beat Trump in the race for the White House - is flying with an all-female US Air Force crew.
It is the first time an all-female crew has operated a C-33.
Harris will visit a local fire station and then distribute food to those impacted by the wildfires.
Panama president fights back
Panamanian president José Raúl Mulino has shot back at Donald Trump after the new leader pledged to take back the canal in his inaugural address.
Mulino said that no one will interfere with the interoceanic route, including, as Trump claims is happening, China.
He said: “The Canal is and will continue to be under Panamanian control with permanent neutrality. No nation interferes with its administration.”
Panamaâs President Jose Raul Mulino has rejected Trump's claimsCredit: AFP Trump arrives at lunch
Donald Trump has arrived at the inauguration luncheon and has taken his seat at the head table.
Ceremonies are running behind schedule despite the inauguration and the parade being moved indoors.
Sitting next to Trump is Senator Amy Klobuchar, the head of the inauguration committee, and Melania Trump.
Trump, a teetotaller, is drinking Diet Coke while most others are drinking wine.
What's on the inauguration lunch menu?
Diners were greeted with a glass of sparkling wine from Gruet Winery in New Mexico when they sat down in the gorgeous great hall.
Then, the political powerhouses will have a delicious Chesapeake crab cake with tomato tartar, bay sauce, pickled vegetables, romanesco, dill, and chive oil.
Paired with that dish will be a chardonnay from Veritas Vinyards in Monticello, Virginia.
For the second course, lucky guests will feast on an Angus ribeye steak from Omaha, Nebraska, served with broccoli rabe, carrot top herb sauce, red wine truffle jus, and potato gratin.
That dish is paired with a cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley, California - Harris' home state.
Finally, the third course will consist of a Minnesota apple ice box terrine with sour cream ice cream and salted caramel, a nod to Walz's home state.
That delicious dessert comes with a sparkling Korbel wine, also from California.
Trump to pardon J6 defendants
Donald Trump is planning to pardon people convicted of nonviolent offences in relation to the riot on January 6, according to CNN.
The Department of Justice is also is expected to move in court to dismiss cases that have not yet gone to trial.
Over half of defendants have been convicted of misdemeanour cases.
Trump declares state of emergency to stop ‘all illegal immigrants’
Donald Trump declared the border crisis a "national emergency" and pledged to restore common sense in his second term as he was sworn in.
Trump vowed to tackle issues at America's southern border in a powerful inaugural address.
In the speech, Trump declared that "the golden age of America begins right now" and said January 20, 2025, is "liberation day."
"America's decline is over," said the president.
He blasted the previous administration as "corrupt" while rivals Joe Biden and sat just feet behind him and laid out some of the first orders he plans to enact.
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Credit: Getty Images Biden: 'There is a lot more to do'
Joe Biden has insisted "there is a lot more to do" in his first speech since leaving office.
He addressed a crowd of former aides at a Joint Base Andrews hangar.
Biden said he is “leaving office, but we’re not leaving the fight" as he called on them to “stay engaged in all the ways you can.”
The now former president added: "No president gets to choose the moment they enter history.
"But they get to choose the team they enter it with. And we chose the best damn team in the world."
Trump wraps up second speech
Trump has wrapped up his speech to supporters - which was slightly longer than his Inaugural Address.
Before he finished, he repeated his claims the 2020 election was "rigged".
He told the Emancipation Hall crowd: "2020, by the way, that election was totally rigged.
"Because of that, I said to Melania, 'What do you think?' And she said, 'You want to do this again?
"And had I — had we lost, and had I felt we lost, I wouldn't do it again, because that's like the ultimate poll, right? But I knew how well we did."
Biden jokingly crosses himself talking about Trump's inaugural address
Joe Biden jokingly crossed himself after briefly mentioning Trump's inaugural address while speaking to supporters at Joint Base Andrews.
The crowd was seen laughing as Biden thanked his team before departing Washington.
Trump hints supporters who stormed Capitol could be pardoned
Trump has again hinted that he may pardon supporters who stormed the Capitol.
Around 1,600 people have been arrested in connection with the riot on January 6, 2021.
Trump said in his post-inaugural speech: "I was going to talk about the J6 hostages.
"You’ll be happy, because it’s action, not words that count. And you’re going to see a lot of action."
Keir Starmer congratulates Trump
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has released a video to welcome Donald Trump's inauguration.
He highlighted the "special relationship" and "centuries" of cooperation between the US and UK.
"The United Kingdom and the United States will work together to ensure the success of both our countries and deliver for both our peoples".
Trudeau: 'We have the chance to work together again'
Justin Trudeau has congratulated Trump in a post on X.
The outgoing Canadian president said: "Canada and the U.S. have the world’s most successful economic partnership.
"We have the chance to work together again — to create more jobs and prosperity for both our nations."
Trump pledges 'action' on J6 'hostages'
Trump has pledged "action" on those convicted of crimes after storming the Capitol on January 6 2020.
He referred to those sentenced by courts as "hostages" and said his supporters with be very "happy" with his "action".
Trump also attacked those that Biden preemptively pardoned he took office, saying they had done "bad crimes".
‘Trillion dollar photo’
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Google chief Sundar Pichai and Tesla star Elon Musk were snapped taking their seats ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
The top tech billionaires lined up together inside the US Capitol in a rare spectacle as Trump returned to power for a second term.
Their combined net worth is more than $850billion - just $150billion short of a whopping trillion dollars.
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Credit: Getty Trump tells supporters: 'You’re far more beautiful audience than I just spoke to'
Trump and Vance are addressing supporters in the Emancipation Hall - the overflow room for the inauguration.
Before Trump's speech, Vance said: "Sir, you didn't hold back. That was a hell of a way to start the next four years."
Trump went on to compliment the crowd, saying: "You’re a younger, far more beautiful audience than I just spoke to.
"I want to keep that off the record because I don’t want to have all those big shots up there, I don’t want to think you’re more powerful than them.
"You look better than them, and I love you."
