Live updates: Follow the latest on Donald Trump’s inauguration
Donald Trump is about to return to the White House and Washington is preparing for the inauguration of the new administration.
Here, The National explains everything you need to know about Mr Trump's inauguration.
When is the 2025 inauguration?
The inauguration takes place on Monday, January 20. All presidents are inaugurated on this date.
January 20 is also when the US this year marks Martin Luther King Jr Day, a commemorative event that does not have a fixed date but is marked on the third Monday of each January. It will be the second time Inauguration Day has fallen on the same date, the first being Bill Clinton's second inauguration in 1997.
Mr Trump is expected to take the oath of office at noon, as is stipulated in the 20th Amendment of the US Constitution. Security screening gates open at 6am, followed by possible performances at about 9.30am and opening remarks at 11.30am, Washington's official tourism site says.
Where is it being held?
Typically, the inauguration takes place at the “west front” of the Capitol building in Washington. But due to forecasts of freezing temperatures in the Washington area, the ceremony has been moved indoors to the Capitol rotunda.
Many places have been the site of previous inaugurations, including George Washington's at Federal Hall in New York City in 1789. Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981 was the first to take place at the current site, which has been customary since.
Thousands of ticket-holding spectators had been expected to attend, but it is unclear how many, if any, will be able to attend now that it has been moved to the rotunda. Thousands are expected to brave the cold on the National Mall and watch the ceremony on large screens.
What happens during the day?
The event is planned by the joint congressional committee on inaugural ceremonies. According to tradition, the president-elect first arrives at the White House and then proceeds to the Capitol building alongside the sitting President.
The day a new president is inaugurated is a time for major celebration with events held over four days, which began on Saturday, January 18. These included a fireworks display, several dinners honouring the new president and vice president and a "Maga [Make America Great Again] Victory Rally", according to Mr Trump's transition team.
Inauguration Day begins with a service at St John’s Church, followed by tea at the White House. Mr Trump and vice president-designate JD Vance will then head to the US Capitol, where they are expected to be sworn in at noon.
During the ceremonies, country singer Carrie Underwood and disco group The Village People are expected to perform, according to the Associated Press.
After the swearing-in ceremony comes the official farewell for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and a departure ceremony, after which Mr Trump will head to the President's Room near the Senate chambers, where he is expected to sign a series of nominations.
Then Mr Trump will attend a luncheon at the Capitol, after which he will review troops in the presidential parade on Pennsylvania Avenue. He will then participate in a signing ceremony at the White House. Three inaugural balls are on the schedule: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.
Who is going and who is not?
As is tradition, the sitting president, in this case Joe Biden, will attend the inauguration to ensure a smooth transfer of power. Other living presidents will also be in attendance. Mr Trump declined to attend Mr Biden's inauguration in 2021.
The Trump team has extended invitations to leaders and officials from around the world. In a rare move, China's President Xi Jinping has been invited, as has France's Emmanuel Macron and Argentina's Javier Milei.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – both supporters of Mr Trump – have also been invited.
Supporters including billionaire Elon Musk and former wrestler Hulk Hogan are expected to attend, in addition to other celebrities. Also likely to be there are Mr Trump's Republican allies in Congress.
A number of Democratic politicians have said they will boycott the inauguration, as many Republicans did during Mr Biden's. But according to Politico, at least a handful of Democratic members who boycotted Mr Trump's 2017 ceremony plan to attend this year and several more are still undecided.
Trump inauguration 2025
What happens at the swearing-in ceremony?
Who is going to Trump's inauguration?
Inauguration parade route and map
Typically, the parade proceeds down Pennsylvania Avenue, with the President's motorcade heading to the White House accompanied by a procession of military regiments and school marching bands, floats and citizens' groups. This year, the parade will take place in the Capitol One Arena.
How to watch in person and online
The joint congressional committee on inaugural ceremonies makes a limited number of inauguration tickets available to the public through members of Congress. Tickets are free of charge, but those wishing to attend in person must apply through a local representative or senator's office.
Security will be tight, and ticket-holders should expect their persons and their belongings to be thoroughly searched. For those unable to procure tickets, giant video screens and audio systems will stream the proceedings to the thousands of spectators on the National Mall.
Major TV networks will broadcast the inauguration live and the event can also be watched on the White House's live-stream.
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What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
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• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
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• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
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The five pillars of Islam
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
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Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
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Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
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