On January 20, Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in a grand ceremony held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to Washington, DC’s frigid weather. The event was attended by former world leaders, ex-presidents, and influential tech moguls, making it a spectacle to remember. Despite meticulous planning, the inauguration was not without its surprises, mishaps, and viral moments that have sparked widespread discussion.
Trump’s Record-Breaking Inaugural Address
Known for his penchant for setting records, Donald Trump delivered the longest modern-day inaugural speech, lasting 29 minutes and 48 seconds. This surpassed Joe Biden’s 21-minute address but fell short of William Henry Harrison’s 1841 record of an hour and 40 minutes. During his speech, Trump vowed to end the nation’s “decline” and usher in a “golden age,” while taking sharp jabs at his predecessor without explicitly naming him.
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The Missing Bible Moment
Prior reports suggested Donald Trump would take the oath of office using two Bibles: a family heirloom and the historic Lincoln Bible. However, in a surprising turn, Trump did not place his hand on the Bibles during the ceremony, instead standing with his left hand at his side while raising his right. While not a legal requirement, historians noted this was an unusual deviation from tradition.
Carrie Underwood’s Musical Mishap
Country music star Carrie Underwood faced an unexpected technical glitch during her performance of ‘America the Beautiful.’ A malfunction cut off her backing music, forcing her to sing a cappella. Demonstrating professionalism, she encouraged the audience to join in, ending the performance on a high note with enthusiastic applause.
Trump’s Awkward Air Kiss
A meme-worthy moment occurred when Trump attempted to kiss his wife, Melania, only to be thwarted by her wide-brimmed hat. Social media erupted with jokes about the “most awkward kiss ever,” but Trump eventually succeeded in landing a kiss after the ceremony.
Michelle Obama’s Absence
Notable attendees included world leaders and former presidents, but Michelle Obama’s absence was widely noticed. Reports suggested she chose not to attend due to personal objections to Trump’s leadership, breaking the traditional presence of former first ladies at such events.
Tech Titans’ Viral Moments
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg went viral for being caught on camera glancing at Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, sparking online memes. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s controversial one-armed gesture at a post-inauguration rally was widely debated, with some calling it a Nazi salute and others defending it as an innocent expression.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
Mark Zuckerberg was caught fact-checking 😂 pic.twitter.com/guiFdmCOvR
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) January 20, 2025
George W. Bush’s Playful Demeanor and Hillary Clinton’s Laughter
Former President George W. Bush’s animated expressions and playful demeanor during the ceremony became instant social media fodder. Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, was caught laughing when Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali, adding to the event’s memorable moments.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
Is it me or does George W. Bush look like he ate a Pot Brownie?pic.twitter.com/BfBhZmETnU
— Bryce Lipscomb 🇺🇸 (@BryceMLipscomb) January 20, 2025
Hillary Clinton can’t contain her laughter as Trump says he’s changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. pic.twitter.com/FgFR1dd4G6
— Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) January 20, 2025
Senator Fetterman’s Casual Attire
In stark contrast to the formal dress code, Senator John Fetterman stood out by opting for an oversized hoodie, athletic shorts, and sneakers. His unconventional attire sparked discussions about comfort versus tradition at such high-profile events.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
Billionaire Elon Musk gave what appeared to be a fascist salute Monday while making a speech at the post-inauguration celebration for President Donald Trump at the Capital One Arena.
“Some elections are important, some are not. But this one, this one really mattered and I just… pic.twitter.com/K8Fo0sdozL
— PBS News (@NewsHour) January 20, 2025
From record-breaking speeches to unexpected viral moments, Trump’s second inauguration delivered plenty for the public to talk about. As social media continues to dissect the event, these highlights will remain part of the ongoing conversation.
