President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration is just two days away, and excitement for celebrations is building in Washington, D.C., and across the country.
Celebrities and top business leaders are rallying around the incoming 47th president of the United States, a stark contrast to his 2017 inauguration.
Trump won the 2024 presidential election in a landslide in November. He won both the Electoral College and the popular vote, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris after a historic election cycle.
Since his landslide victory, the president-elect has received support from traditional allies, including Republicans in Congress and Republican governors across the country, as he builds his next administration.
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Former President Donald Trump stands on stage with former First Lady Melania Trump as Lara Trump looks on at the Election Night Watch Party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. . (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
But he has also been embraced by top executives in the business world and Silicon Valley, figures who were not very friendly with Mr. Trump and his allies during and after his first administration.
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and other technology leaders visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, throughout the transition period.
Carrie Underwood performs “America the Beautiful” at President Trump’s inauguration
Tech billionaires, including Jeff Bezos (left) and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (right), have supported President-elect Donald Trump since his Election Day victory. (Getty Images)
Ahead of the inauguration, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and executives from Google, Microsoft, Boeing, Ford Motor Co. and others each pledged at least $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. donated to. This is a complete change from the first President Trump. Inauguration ceremony.
Trump’s inauguration will also be attended by union leaders, including International Teamsters Association President Sean O’Brien and members of the firefighters union, representing the broad coalition of support seen since the president’s victory.
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People move into position as rehearsals begin on the West Front of the Capitol ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Jon Elle) Zwick)
Celebrities are also in attendance for the president-elect. Country music star and “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful,” and the Army Choir and Naval Academy Glee Club will also participate.
Mr. Underwood’s performance will take place just before Mr. Trump takes the oath of office for the second time.
Opera singer Christopher Macchio will join Underwood to sing the national anthem at the swearing-in ceremony.
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Carrie Underwood will perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration. (Dennis Trasello)
Other top music artists, including Jason Aldean, Rathcoal Flatts, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus and the Village People, are reportedly heading to Washington, D.C., for performances.
Last time, Mr. Trump struggled to attract support from big-name supporters and even famous entertainers for his 2017 inauguration. The entertainment program was tame compared to his predecessor, President Obama’s 2013 inauguration, which included performances from Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson.
Additionally, the 2017 Inauguration Weekend was also marred by protests across Washington, DC.
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Former President Barack Obama (center right) and then-President Trump share a laugh as former first lady Michelle Obama and Melania Trump (left) swear Trump in as the 45th president of the United States on the Western Front during the inauguration ceremony. I’ll be watching what happens next. January 20, 2017, U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. (Reuters/Mike Seeger)
In the run-up to the 2017 presidential inauguration, demonstrators caused chaos throughout the city by smashing storefront windows and setting cars on fire, and the demonstrations lasted several days, with 200 police officers in attendance. The above were arrested.
However, Trump’s actual swearing-in at the Capitol and parade to the White House went off without incident.
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President Trump (left) takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts at the Capitol in Washington, DC on Friday, January 27, 2017, with his wife Melania holding a Bible and their children Barron and Ivanka. Eric with Tiffany (pool photo via Jim Bourg/AP)
Despite the turmoil, President Trump called for unity in his inaugural address, calling for a “new national pride” to heal divisions.
However, the day after Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States, hundreds of thousands of people from across the United States gathered in the nation’s capital for the Women’s March on Washington to protest Trump’s inauguration.
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The protesters, many of whom were women, were largely peaceful compared to the rioters who wreaked havoc in Washington, D.C., days earlier. The march moved from the National Mall to the streets while the newly sworn-in president attended a national prayer meeting after waking up in the White House for the first time.
Celebrities including America Ferrera, Madonna, Ashley Judd, Cher, Katy Perry, Amy Schumer, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Michael Moore, Debra Messing and Patricia Arquette took part in the march.
Protesters walk during the Women’s March on Washington with the U.S. Capitol in the background in Washington, D.C., January 21, 2017. A day after President Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, large crowds of people participate in anti-Trump rallies. are. (Tama Mario/Getty Images)
“I thought a lot about blowing up the White House,” Madonna said during the protests.
But President Trump’s second inauguration is expected to be a celebratory event, with the official inauguration weekend beginning Saturday night with a massive fireworks display.
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On Sunday, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, a “Make America Great Again” rally with President Trump, followed by a candlelit dinner.
On Monday, Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will take part in the swearing-in ceremony. Saying goodbye to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Participate in the Presidential Signing Room Ceremony at the Capitol. He then leads the presidential parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
President Trump waves while walking near the White House during the 58th presidential inaugural parade on Friday, January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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The president is then scheduled to attend three official inaugural balls and give a speech at each.
Trump Vance Inaugural Committee Co-Chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler said, “President Trump is committed to uniting the nation through the strength, security, and opportunity of America First policies. “There is,” he said. “The 2025 Inauguration will reflect President-elect Trump’s historic return to the White House and the American people’s resolute vote to Make America Great Again.”
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
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