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Washington is one of America’s most Democratic electorates, and more than 90 per cent voters here chose Kamala Harris to be the next president at November’s election. But right now, it looks and feels like Trump country.
In downtown DC, excited fans have been braving the wind and drizzle for hours – some even arriving overnight – to get one of the 20,000-odd seats inside Capitol One Arena for the president-elect’s so-called “victory” rally.
As someone who has lived here for the past few years, it’s quite a novel sight: the streets are filled with tens of thousands of folks in MAGA caps and beanies; vendors are selling everything from commemorative Trump coins and cups, to American flags and T-shirts.
At one point a cardboard cutout of Trump on a surfboard was “surfing” through the crowd as people passed it along towards the front of the queue.
Scrap workers Logan Page, 21 and Blake Bridges, 20, flew over from Georgia hoping to see the president-elect, and were so thrilled to be in Washington for his inauguration weekend that they didn’t mind if they couldn’t make it to into the venue.
Scrap workers Logan Page, 21 and Blake Bridges, 20.Credit: Farrah Tomazin
“It was my first time flying on a plane, and it’s my first time in DC – and it’s awesome,” said Page as the pair made their way to the end of the line, which by that stage was almost two Metro stops away from the arena.
“Even being right here, I can feel his presence. That’s how powerful it is.”
As Trump touched down at Dulles Airport in suburban Virginia, many fans who had travelled to see him being sworn in were left wondering what to do after the president-elect moved his ceremony indoors.
The DC stadium where Trump said supporters could now watch a live-stream of the event can seat up to 20,000 people – far fewer than the hundreds of thousands who had planned to attend the ceremony at the US Capitol or the National Mall.
Trump held an event on Saturday night (Sunday afternoon AEDT) for about 500 guests at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, on the outskirts of Washington, where Elvis Presley impersonator Leo Days serenaded the incoming president and first lady.
President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and family watch fireworks at Trump National Golf Club.Credit: Zara Zadro (AP)
Trump addressed the crowd, giving a shoutout to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and declaring his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff a “great negotiator”. Witkoff this past week helped negotiate a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that’s scheduled to take effect on Sunday.
Soon after his remarks, Trump stepped out onto a clubhouse balcony while guests gathered on the patio below him for a fireworks display and performance by tenor Christopher Macchio.
Read more about the leadup to Trump’s swearing in here.
It has been disorganised chaos in streets here in central Washington all morning as tens of thousands of MAGA fans line up for access to Donald Trump’s “victory rally” at Capital One Arena.
The rally is free, and with hundreds of thousands of people travelling to the capital for an inauguration they won’t be able to attend because it has been moved indoors, today’s rally has transformed into the main event.
It’s 2 degrees in Washington with light rain and a “feels like” of minus 1 degree. Despite the conditions, the queue snakes for blocks and blocks, with no real prospect that most will make it inside.
Ardent Trump supporters were lined up as early as 5.30am even though the doors didn’t open until 12.30pm. There’s still about half an hour before the speeches start and two-and-a-half hours until Trump himself is due to take the stage.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the lead up and moment incoming US President Donald Trump is sworn into office.
At the time of writing, it is 2.11pm on Sunday in Washington as preparation is underway for the inauguration which will take place on Monday in the United States.
Trump arrived in Washington on Saturday local time to begin celebrations of his victory into office.
The incoming president is set to speak at a rally shortly, so stay with us for live updates throughout the day.
President-elect Donald Trump after a fireworks show at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia at the weekend.Credit: AP
