It’s the big day for Donald Trump. A little more than two months after succeeding in his crazy bet by winning the presidential election against Kamala Harris, the billionaire will be officially inaugurated President of the United States, for the second time, this Monday, January 20 in Washington. At noon local time (6 p.m. in France), the 47th president of the world’s leading power will begin his second term, succeeding Democrat Joe Biden.
“Tomorrow at noon, the curtain will fall on four long years of American decline,” he assured his supporters on Sunday, gathered for a final meeting in the capital. During it, the 78-year-old Republican promised to act “with unprecedented speed and force” once back in power. Numerous decrees are expected from this Monday, which will set the tone for his presidency.
Information to remember
⇒ Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony takes place this Monday in Washington
⇒ The 47th President of the United States must be sworn in at 6 p.m. French time
⇒ Tech moguls and far-right figures are among the guests
1:05 p.m.
François Bayrou’s alert
A few hours before the inauguration of Donald Trump, Prime Minister François Bayrou estimated that France and the European Union would be “crushed” by the announced policy of the American president if they do nothing to react.
“The United States has decided on an incredibly dominant policy through the dollar, through industrial policy, through the capture of all research and the capture of investments,” declared the head of government on the occasion of greetings to staff. municipal council of Pau, a city of which he remained mayor. “If we do nothing, we are going to be dominated, crushed, marginalized. This decision which is up to us, French and Europeans, because it is impossible without Europe, is recovery,” he added. .
1:00 p.m.
A ceremony under high security
After two assassination attempts against candidate Trump, Washington is under very high security for this inauguration ceremony. Some 25,000 police and military personnel mobilized, 48 kilometers of barriers erected, snipers on the roofs and drones in the sky: the Secret Service, responsible for the protection of high-ranking personalities, is deploying a system “a little more solid” than in the past, due to “a more threatening environment”.
12:50 p.m.
Tech moguls and far-right figures among guests
Donald Trump put his stamp on his inauguration ceremony: he invited the tech multi-billionaires. In addition to Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and financial and political supporter, the boss of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg of Apple, Tim Cook and, according to the press, Shou Chew of TikTok.
Joe and Jill Biden, as well as all the former presidents – Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama – and their wives, except Michelle Obama, will of course be there.
Foreign heads of state and government are traditionally never officially invited to investitures. But the Trump team has personally invited far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who will make the trip, and Argentine President Javier Milei. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will also be present. Politicians from the far right in Europe have announced their presence: the French Marion Maréchal and Eric Zemmour, the British Nigel Farage and a leader of the German AfD, Tino Chrupalla.
12:40 p.m.
Tea with Joe Biden before taking the oath
Donald Trump is due to take the oath of office at noon Washington time (6 p.m. in France). With one hand placed on a Bible inherited from his mother, he will swear to “protect the Constitution” under the dome of the Capitol, the same place where on January 6, 2021, his supporters tried to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory. The ceremony usually takes place outside, but the protocol was disrupted due to a cold snap.
Before that, Donald Trump must attend a religious service in a church very close to the White House. He will then be received in the morning by the outgoing Democratic president, as is customary, for tea. The two men will go to the Capitol together.
The new president will participate in three galas on Monday evening, while around ten other parties are planned in town. Finally, a ceremony on Tuesday at the Washington Cathedral must conclude these festivities.
12:35 p.m.
Donald Trump’s second term will begin
After a first stint in the White House between 2017 and 2021, Donald Trump’s second term will officially begin this Monday, January 20, 2024, a little over two months after his resounding victory against Kamala Harris on November 5. At 78, Donald Trump is set to become the oldest American head of state ever inaugurated. He is also the first to have been criminally convicted, which did not deter his supporters.
If his first election had caused a commotion in the country and the world, his return took place in a form of resignation, without mass demonstrations. The chancelleries of allied countries are trying, with rare exceptions, to put on a good face in the face of this American president who is openly talking about annexing Canada.