Donald Trump’s second inauguration took place on January 20, 2025, which marked the formal beginning of his second and final term as President of the United States. Due to freezing weather conditions, the ceremony occurred inside of the US Capitol with the swearing in being led by Chief Justice, John Roberts. Following his Oath of Office, Trump took to delivering a speech which outlined his plans for the next four years and promised to stay committed to the policies and agenda he previously assured Americans of.

In addition to his inauguration on Monday, the President jumped into numerous executive orders and actions, with the total number being a record breaking 26. The speeches given, from the President himself as well as multiple guest speakers, had many mixed reviews, but the one thing many people concluded was that Trump’s speech was definitely a bold one. One student, John Paul Stamps (11), commented, “The speeches were a huge shock for me. I thought that President Trump would be more subtle, but his speech was full of ambition, straightforwardness, and shocking statements. I liked many other speeches given, especially that of the rabbi and Reverend Lorenzo Sewell.”

Besides the swearing in and speeches, the inauguration and inaugural ball also included performances from multiple musicians, including Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio, Parker McCollum, and Gavin DeGraw. Stamps said, “I was quite impressed with the opera singer and Carrie Underwood. I also really enjoyed the band performing the marches.” Overall, the inauguration was engaging for many reasons and allowed for a huge opportunity for many singers.