Whether you like it or not, Donald Trump will be officially sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America on Friday, January 20th. However, official inaugural ceremonies will begin the day before.
Here are five major things to expect on Trump’s inauguration weekend:
1. The festivities will include traditional gestures.
According to the New York Times, the inaugural festivities is to kick off with some time-tested traditions. On Thursday, Trump is to lead his entourage in laying a wreath at the Arlington National Cemetery in honor of the country’s fallen soldiers. Before the swearing-in ceremony, the Trumps and invited guests will have breakfast at Blair House, which is the presidential guesthouse. On Saturday, a National Prayer Service will be held by the Washington National Cathedral for Trump and incoming Vice President Mike Pence.
2. The Obamas and Trumps will have a coffee date at the White House.
A customary gesture, this will be another interesting meeting for both the outgoing and incoming Presidents, considering the last time they met. A piece by New Yorker editor David Remnick read that although the official press release was that the meeting went well, Obama’s comment to him later on, was well, something that’s up for interpretation.
“… When I asked Obama how things had really gone, he smiled thinly and said, ‘I think I can’t characterize it without…’ Then he stopped himself and said that he would tell me, ‘at some point over a beer — off the record,” Remnick wrote.
3. Expect a new voice to be overheardat the Inaugural Parade.
Charles Brotman was dropped by the Trump transition team over email. Brotman told CNN that he was “heartbroken” and “destroyed” about the news, but came to accept the decision. Brotman was the go-to announcer for the Inaugural Parade since Dwight Eisenhower in 1957. He is replaced by freelance announcer Steve Ray.
4. Trump’s evening inaugural balls appearances might be the fewest in US president history.
Boston.com reports that Trump will only attend three evening inaugural balls. In comparison, former US president Bill Clinton attended 14 evening inaugural balls. The Trumps are expected to dance as First Couple to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” the New York Post said.
5. Trump’s attendance may fall in comparison to Obama’s.
Around 700,000 to 900,000 people are expected to attend the inaugural ceremonies and parade, government officials estimated. This is lesser than Obama’s 1.8 million people in attendance at his first Inauguration Day in 2009.
Moreover, over 50 Democrats of the House of Representatives has already expressed their decision to not attend Trump’s inauguration as a protest.