HERE are the most memorable moments from Donald Trump’s second inauguration from the good, the bad, and the cringe worthy.
Trump was sworn in as America’s 47th president on Monday watched by a host of famous faces but not everything went according to plan, with many hiccups now immortalised on social media.
AFPTrump’s second inauguration was filled with viral moments[/caption]
GettyTrump and Vice President JD Vance greet the Village People at the Liberty Inaugural Ball[/caption]
EPATrump and First Lady Melania Trump dance together at the Liberty Ball[/caption]
Despite signing a flurry of executive orders wanting to give the impression he has everything under control ahead of his first full day in office, one of Trump’s plans was scuppered by his wife’s hat.
FUMBLED KISS
As the soon to be sworn in president arrived in the Capitol Rotunda to be sworn in, he walked over to his wife Melania to kiss her affectionately on the cheek.
But, the brim of her navy blue hat saw the president fumble the moment and instead kiss the air.
The incoming first lady speed out for inauguration day wearing a navy blue ensemble, complete with a coat and the hat which has been branded an “odd choice” by one fashion expert.
Throughout much of the day, the First Lady’s eyes were covered by the white-trimmed hat that later kept her husband out of kissing distance.
“Ngl that was awkward,” one onlooker wrote on X.
“Yeah the ghost kiss was very visible unlike the first lady’s eyes…” another added.
AFPMelania’s wide hat blocked Trump from planting a kiss on her cheek[/caption]
AFPTrump gleefully greeted his family after he was sworn in for the second time[/caption]
NO HAND ON BIBLE
While being sworn in, Trump broke with tradition by not placing his left hand on the bible as he took the oath.
As Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts addressed him, the incoming president raised his right hand with his left down at his side.
Melania stood to his side holding out the two bibles for the ceremony.
One was a gift from Trump’s mother and the other is Abraham Lincoln’s bible from his inauguration in 1861.
While it is not a requirement for the President to do so, in 2017 at his first inauguration, Trump did place his hand on the holy book.
This moment became the top search on Google regarding the inauguration.
AlamyTrump broke with tradition by not putting his left hand on the bible as he took his oath[/caption]
ELON MUSK’S ‘SALUTE’
Elon Musk – who has become Donald Trump’s right-hand man since the election – broke his silence after being accused of making a Nazi salute.
The tech mogul made the action with his right arm when giving a speech at Trump’s inauguration rally on Sunday.
During the speech at the Capital One Arena, he put his hand to his chest and said he felt it in his “heart”.
While speaking the idea of America getting a man on Mars, the SpaceX boss pounded his chest with his right arm before raising it stiffly to the sky.
Musk then turned his back to the audience and repeated the gesture as he faced an American flag hanging behind him.
The moment immediately sparked backlash and Musk accused his enemies of engaging in “dirty tricks” to try and smear him.
“The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” he added in a post on X, accompanying it with a sleeping emoji.
AFPElon Musk spoke during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena[/caption]
AFPHe made a shock gesture in front of crowds[/caption]
The Anti-Defamation League, an international non-governmental organization that fights antisemitism, bigotry, and discrimination, gave a cautious response to the gesture.
“This is a delicate moment,” it wrote on X. “It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety.
“It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge.
“In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”
Musk responded to the ADL’s statement, writing simply “Thanks guys,” with a cry-laughing emoji.
LAUREN SANCHEZ’S LINGERIE TOP
Jeff Bezos’ fiancee Lauren Sanchez caught a lot of attention on inauguration day with her unusual choice of outfit.
The former news anchor wore a revealing all-white pantsuit with an apparent lingerie-style top underneath to the ceremony.
GettyAmazon founder Jeff Bezos’ partner, Lauren Sanchez, shocked the internet with her outfit[/caption]
ReutersShe appeared to wear a lingerie style top under her blazer jacket[/caption]
Her blazer was done up just under her bust with the white lace bra peeking out above.
The 55-year-old’s racy attire raised eyebrows and caused a firestorm online with many saying her outfit was “incredibly inappropriate” for the occasion.
“Good grief, Lauren Sanchez. Put them away for one day,” one wrote.
“Is someone going to offer Lauren Sanchez a safety pin?” a second said.
“Melania looks stunning, and Ivanka, that suit is giving!!!! You need to throw Lauren Sanchez a napkin and some safety pins because she didn’t get the sophistication memo,” a third commented.
Trump’s executive orders
By Patrick Harrington, Foreign News Reporter
DONALD Trump signed a raft of executive orders within hours of returning to the presidency – noted for their breadth across a range of policy areas.
His swift action made it clear that he intends to follow through on his campaign promise to enact a sweeping conservative agenda.
He dramatically signed off on the first lot during his rally at the Capitol One Arena, and then returned to the Oval Office to approve even more.
Here are some of the most significant executive orders ushered through by President Trump in his first few hours of leadership:
January 6 pardons: Trump formally pardoned around 1,500 of the protesters charged following the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The order also cut short the sentences of 14 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers organisations.
Paris climate agreement: Trump has withdrawn the US from this climate treaty – as he did in his first presidency before it was reversed by Biden. He also dismantled a Biden law that said half of all new vehicles sold must be electric by 2030.
Oil drilling: Trump repealed a 2023 Biden memo that barred oil drilling in 16 million acres of the Arctic. He declared a national energy emergency and promised to drill for the “liquid gold” under American soil.
Immigration: Trump declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border due to the rate of illegal migration. He also signed a decree tackling birthright citizenship, and designated criminal cartels as terrorist groups.
Foreign policy: Trump temporarily suspended all US foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending review. He removed sanctions on Jewish settlers, and reversed Biden’s last-minute decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorsim.
Free speech: Trump signed an order to end “government censorship” of social media, and one to end the “weaponisation” of government against political opponents.
Death penalty: Trump signed a sweeping order on execution, directing the attorney general to “take all necessary and lawful action” to ensure states have enough supplies of lethal injections.
TikTok: Trump signed an executive order specifically for keep the Chinese-owned social media platform operating for at least 75 days. He said: “I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok.”
Gender: Trump decreed that the federal government will recognise only two sexes, and vowed to end “wasteful” government diversity programs.
World Health Organisation: Trump signed-off on his intention to pull the US from the WHO, which he claims “continued to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States”.
Government workers: federal staff were ordered to return to working in the office five days a week, alongside a federal hiring freeze (other than in the military) and an order to hold former government officials “accountable for election interference”.
ZUCKERBERG CAUGHT OUT
It seems not everyone disliked Sanchez’s outfit with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appearing to repeatedly steal a glance at her chest.
Clips went viral on social media of Zuckerberg getting an eye full while speaking with fellow tech titans Bezos, Apple CEO Tim cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, and Musk.
One X user shared a screenshot of the moment saying: “Get a good look Zuckerberg?”
Another said: “Lauren Sanchez certainly ‘hooked’ Mark Zuckerberg.”
“At Trump’s inauguration, Mark Zuckerberg became the main meme of the evening. Couldn’t take his eyes off Lauren Sanchez,” a third wrote.
SuppliedMark Zuckerberg was accused of looking down at Sanchez’s outfit[/caption]
DEMOCRAT MOCKERY
Another notable moment came when bitter Democrat losers Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton mocked the new President as he made his inauguration speech.
As Trump vowed to bring end to years of “betrayal” the former leaders of the Democrat Party giggled childishly.
Senator Amy Klobuchar read the call to order at the beginning of the swearing-in ceremony, and said: “We will witness the peaceful transfer of power at the heart of our democracy”.
The camera then panned to Biden who made a sarcastic sign of the cross and giggling – as if to say “God help us”.
ReutersJoe Biden appeared to laugh during Trump’s speech[/caption]
AFPBiden also appeared to fall asleep at the inauguration ceremony[/caption]
Hillary Clinton chuckles next to her husband Bill as Trump outlines his plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico
Biden was also caught smirking, closing his eyes and checking his watch throughout the ceremony.
Meanwhile Hillary grinned at herself and chuckled as Trump outlined his plans for the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump shared that he would rename the area as the Gulf of America.
Perhaps the most awkward act of stubbornness from the Democrats came when Biden and Kamala Harris refused to clap for Trump – as the rest of the room exploded into cheers.
PERFORMANCE GLITCHES
Billy Ray Cyrus and Carrie Underwood were left red-faced after their inauguration performances were hit with technical glitches.
Underwood who performed America the Beautiful at the ceremony unexpectedly had to sing acapella.
Gripping the microphone, she smiled and then grimaced while awkwardly waiting for the background music to start.
The Mega AgencyCarrie Underwood awkwardly stood as her backing music cut out[/caption]
APShe was forced to perform “America the Beautiful” acapella[/caption]
Eventually, the American Idol judge just began singing acappella.
“You know the words, help me out here,” she pleaded with the room inside the U.S. Capitol before belting out the classic song.
At the end of the performance, she clapped, bowed, and shook President Trump’s and President Biden’s hands.
Country legend Billy Ray Cyrus had also experienced an on-stage blunder when performing at the Capital One Arena at Trump’s inauguration rally.
EPABilly Ray Cyrus suffered a major technical glitch during the Liberty Ball[/caption]
EPAFans had to watch Billy Ray Cyrus in the dark[/caption]
APThe country star started to perform his hit song Old Town Road acapella[/caption]
ReutersHe shouted at crew before he was escorted off stage[/caption]
The 63-year-old was singing Old Town Road, a single he worked on with rapper Lil Nas X when his equipment appeared to stop working.
Cyrus began to sing a bizarre acapella version of the song as he stood on stage in the dark.
He then shouted backstage asking for a technician to sort the issue before he was escorted off stage.
At one point, he was heard asking the stage crew, “Is my guitar still on?” after being unable to hear it.
Miley Cyrus’ father continued to hold the instrument aloft asking the workers backstage, “Is anyone awake?” as he appeared to lose patience.
“I don’t hear it? Do y’all hear it?” he went on.
“Is anyone back there? Can somebody turn my guitar back on? We’re going to sing a bit more.”
The moment went viral online with one saying: “Super cringe. He was on stage playing his guitar with no sound and you could hear him jumping while he was trying to dance and play.
“Felt bad for the guy. Epic fail.”
ATHLESISURE
Lauren Sanchez was not the only attendee to raise eyebrows for the outfit choice – but for different reasons.
Pennsylvania’s governor John Fetterman turned heads for his opposite-of-risqué clothes as he showed up in shorts.
ReutersPennsylvania’s Governor John Fetterman wore a hoodie, shorts, and sneakers to the inaguration[/caption]
APHe shocked people with his casual choice of clothes for the occasion[/caption]
The politician stood out among other suit wearing guests as he wore a hoodie, workout shorts, and sneakers.
Fetterman, 54, was pictured sitting in the front row with his legs spread out.
The governor also chose to brave the freezing Washington DC weather which forced the inauguration to be moved indoors for the first time in decades.
A DAY TO REMEMBER
AFPDonald Trump and JD Vance at the inaugural parade inside the Capital One Arena[/caption]
The Mega AgencyThe Trump family with JD and Usha Vance at the Liberty Inaugural Ball[/caption]
EPABiden and Trump sit across the aisle from eachother at the inauguration ceremony[/caption]
Overall Trump’s second inauguration batted his first out of the park when it came to viral and shocking moments.
Risky outfits, two tech nightmares, and questionable gestures had the world talking about his day of events.
Among the shock social media moments were also his surprising political moves on the night.
Trump did not hold back and went to work just hours after he was sworn in again.
He signed a staggering number of executives orders – including a pardons for 1,500 people involved in the January 6 insurrection on the Capitol.
Trump also kept to his campaign promises and launched a huge crackdown on immigration through the border with Mexico and took the US out of the Paris Climate Accords.
AFPTrump signed executive orders on stage at his inaugural parade[/caption]
GettyTrump and JD Vance clink glasses during a luncheon following the inauguration ceremony[/caption]
AFPDonald Trump and Melania Trump participate in a departure ceremony for former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
