Photo source: PBS
President Donald J. Trump has officially taken the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States, marking a historic moment as he becomes only the second individual to serve two non-consecutive terms. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, with Vice President JD Vance also taking his oath, administered by Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
On this significant day, Trump is anticipated to sign a multitude of executive orders before attending three inaugural balls in the evening.
Billionaires Attend Trump’s Inauguration
Several billionaires attended Trump’s second inauguration, including Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who had protested against Trump’s immigration policies during his first term. This time, they occupied prime seating at the ceremony, applauding Trump despite his controversial plans to deport millions and pursue political adversaries through legal means.
Also among the attendees were Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who has been a prominent supporter of Trump, contributing nearly $300 million to his campaign; Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon; Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, who has recently aligned his company’s policies more closely with conservative interests; Tim Cook, CEO of Apple; and Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, was also present amid uncertainties regarding his platform’s future in the U.S.
Executive Orders Signed at Capital One Arena
Trump has already signed numerous proclamations and appointed dozens of officials across various levels of government. Notably, he ordered flags to be flown at full staff on future inauguration days, following the recent passing of President Jimmy Carter.
After the ceremonial transfer of power, Trump announced his intention to implement a series of executive orders that aim to boost border security, increase domestic energy production, and eliminate government-mandated diversity programs.
“I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions,” Trump said during his speech.
Trump’s Stance on the Panama Canal
In his inaugural address, Trump also declared that the United States would reclaim control over the Panama Canal, criticising China’s influence and the costs imposed on American ships. He reiterated that while control was transferred to Panama in 1999, he believes it is time for the U.S. to regain authority over this critical trade route. The Panamanian government has pushed back against these assertions and affirmed its sovereignty over the canal.
Implementation of ‘Trump Tariffs’
Furthermore, Trump has formally announced his intention to impose tariffs on imports from countries like China and Mexico as part of his economic agenda. This aligns with his campaign promises and reflects a continuation of his protectionist policies, which aim to reshape international trade dynamics.
Trump also reiterated his commitment to reversing the nation’s perceived decline and asserted that the U.S. would once again become the “envy of every nation.” With a focus on national pride and prosperity, Trump positioned himself as a transformative leader ready to reclaim America’s sovereignty and restore its standing in the world.