Explained: The inauguration of Donald Trump as the US’ 47th President

Donald Trump’s inauguration is already not what he hoped it would be – but one slip-up on his part could mean he has to repeat the whole event.

Donald Trump’s inauguration was planned to be grand affair with potentially more than a million spectators lining the National Mall as he took the oath of office.

That plan has been ditched with sub zero temperatures pushing the ceremony indoors.

But while the day won’t be as Mr Trump planned, there is still official business to attend too.

Inauguration Day – January 20 (January 21 in Australia) – will mark Mr Trump becoming one of the few US presidents to serve two non-consecutive terms.

There are a series of formal events that will take place on Monday that will lead to Mr Trump officially taking office. This will include the swearing in ceremony but also speeches and appearances from celebrities who support Mr Trump.

And if Mr Trump misses just one word from his official oath, then he won’t have become president.

Around all of these will be unofficial events including a Trump “victory rally”, various galas, fireworks displays and a protest march.

Country singers Carrie Underwood and Billy Ray Cyrus, as will camp 70s band The Village People – who said they would actually had preferred to have sung at Kamala Harris’ inauguration.

Donald Trump, with his wife Melania Trump, is sworn in as President at the US Capitol in Washington, DC in 2017. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP)

What is Inauguration Day?

Inauguration Day is when the US president and vice president take up their roles. It will be a public holiday in the US but only because this year it coincides with Martin Luther King Day.

It’s usually in the open air on the National Mall in the shadow of The Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.

But with temperatures sinking to a potential -12C on Monday, that plan had to be nixed.

“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way,”Mr Trump wrote on social media on Friday.

“I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather.”

Famously, after Mr Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, his then press secretary Sean Spicer said the crowd “was the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration”.

No official numbers are given but it's thought that wasn’t the case.

Around 600,000 spectators are estimated to have watched the 2017 inauguration. That’s far fewer than Barack Obama who had 1.8 million at his first inauguration and one million at the second.

Mr Trump will now never know if he could have beaten those figures.

The Village People are the surprise performers of the day.

Carrie Underwood will also perform. Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images

Despite the cold, the day will likely pan out in simailr way. It begins with a service at St John’s Church, Lafayette Square, known as the “Church of the Presidents”.

President Joe Biden has then invited Mr Trump to the White House for tea.

Following that, the ceremony kicks off from 11am on January 20 (2am January 21, AEDT) at the Capitol Rotunda.

Mr Biden will attend the inauguration – Mr Trump did not attend his in 2017. It’s also been confirmed that former presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama are also on the list. Michelle Obama will pointedly not attend.

Carrie Underwood will sing America is Beautiful before Mr Trump takes his oath.

Another country star Lee Greenwood will perform as Mr Trump’s walks out to take the oath. He has been a regular at Trump rallies.

Michelle Obama will not be at the inauguration. Picture: Jim Watson / AFP

One word that means Trump wouldn’t be president

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over proceedings.

The incoming vice president – JD Vance – will take the oath of office first.

Following that, at around noon, Mr Trump will take his oath, which reads:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”.

He has to say these words exactly or, officially speaking, he hasn’t become president.

Mr Obama stumbled on a single word at his 2009 inauguration. He ended up doing the whole oath again the next day – a much smaller affair at the White House – just to make sure he really was president.

Assuming Mr Trump doesn’t stuff it up, he becomes president and, after an official cheerio, Mr Biden can walk away unencumbered by the nuclear codes.

President Barack Obama had to redo his officially swearing in ceremony in 2009 in the Oval Office after he stumbled on a word at the official events the previous day. Picture: AP Photo/Larry Downing, Pool

Trump’s first few hours

Mr Trump’s first official duty will be to make his inaugural address. He will then pause to do some actual work on his first day. Expect key nominations to be confirmed and a flurry of executive orders.

Remember, Mr Trump said he wouldn’t be a dictator, “except on day one,” so it will be notable what executive orders he does sign. Immigration is almost certain to be top of his list along with potentially pardoning many – or all – of those convicted for storming the Capitol in 2021.

There will then be an inaugural lunch. That is traditionally followed by the presidential parade where the new president, teh vice presienet and thier families walk to the White House. But that will now likely change to an event at a sports arena where Mr Trump will bask in the adulation of his supporters.

Behind the scenes, the White House will be a hive of activity. The Bidens will have left the White House exactly as they wanted it. Then, when the inauguration takes place, an army of staff will rearrange the furniture, restock the fridges, and hang new paintings, for the Trumps so it’s home sweet home the minute they turn up.

Following this, there will be no less than three balls in Washington DC to celebrate Mr Trump’s’ return to the Oval Office.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, along with their son Barron, walk in their inaugural parade on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump was sworn-in as the 45th President of the United States. Picture: Kevin Dietsch – Pool/Getty Images

Events prior to January 20

Monday may be the big day but there is lots going on in the run up to it.

On Saturday, the People’s March will take place from 10am, local time.

This is the main rallying point for Americans opposed to Mr Trump. The rally and march will take place through the streets of Downtown.

“This is our moment to remind the billionaire boys’ club where the power truly lives: with the people. Let’s make it count,” the organisers have stated.

That evening a celebratory fireworks displays will take place at the Trump National Golf Club in nearby Virginia.

On Sunday, it will be the turn of MAGA to take the limelight with a Donald Trump “victory rally” in a DC CBD sports areas.

Organisers are keen for the crowd to be “huge”. That starts at 3pm. Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus and The Village People will all perform. The latter’s hit YMCA is a favourite of Mr Trump’s.

The Village People, aware of their diverse audience, have sought to explain their presence at such a political event.

“We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” the band said in a social media post.

“Our song YMCA is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost,” seemingly a reference to Ms Harris.

All in all, the Inauguration is a multi-day affair to ease out the last administration and ease in the next.