Trump inauguration LIVE: Don to triumphantly return to White House today as ring of steel locks down Washington DC
DONALD Trump today returns to the White House as he will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.
Thousands of soldiers and police have locked down Washington DC with an immense "ring of steel" ahead of today’s ceremony.
Billionaires, celebs and the US’s political elite will be packing out the event along with tens of thousands of Trump fans on the lawns outside the Capitol.
American Idol’s Carrie Underwood, YMCA hitmakers The Village People and country singer Lee Greenwood will be among the stars performing at events through today.
It will begin with a church service, followed by a visit to the White House, then speeches and musical performances, key meetings, and then three lavish balls.
Trump reclaims the mantle of President from Democrat rival Joe Biden - who defeated him in the 2020 election, only to then step aside due to his diminishing health.
Biden’s anointed successor Kamala Harris was then swept aside by a resurgent Trump in the 2024 election.
The 78-year-old staged one of the greatest-ever political comebacks, surging to power on the back of his MAGA movement to oust the unpopular Democrats.
The campaign saw him survive two assassination attempts and repeatedly weather legal storms, many of which Don raged were politically motivated.
You can follow our live blog below ...
Most read in The US Sun
Trump speaks at post-rally dinner
Donald Trump, watched by his wife Melania, gave a speech at a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC on Sunday night.
Watch: footage of Donald Trump dancing with the Village People
Fist-pumping and swaying from side to side, the president-elect displayed his signature moves as he grooved on stage with the Village People last night ahead of his inauguration as President today.
Watch: footage of Donald Trump dancing with The Village People
Fist-pumping and swaying from side to side, the president-elect displayed his signature moves as he grooved on stage with The Village People last night ahead of his inauguration as President today.
Fresh row between US and UK threatens 'special relationship'
A fresh row has broken out between America and the UK after a leading Labour figure implied the incoming president was a "fascist"
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, spoke last night of Britain’s “unshakeable” bond with America as he scrambled to deflate a fresh row with Donald Trump.
On the eve of the inauguration, No 10 had to slap down Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, pictured below, for implying the incoming President was a “fascist”.
You can read more about this story at this link.
Trump vows to sign 'close to 100' executive orders today
In a show of strength, Donald Trump has vowed to sign “close to 100” executive orders within hours of taking office later today.
The directives are set to include actions to curb immigration, increase import tariffs, halt US government diversity policies and deregulate sectors including energy and cryptocurrencies.
The role of the Department of Government Efficiency - to be led by Elon Musk, pictured with his son X and Trump at the pre-inauguration rally on Sunday night, below - will also be outlined, US media is reporting.
An executive order is a written order issued by the president to the federal government that does not need congressional approval.
In pictures: more images coming in from Washington
Here is a selection of pictures arriving in the wires from Washington DC over the past two days – including this one of sweatshirts emblazoned with the logos: "My revenge will be success" and "Daddy's Home".
Watch: Trump vows to 'take back our country' at rally
Donald Trump says he intends to 'take back' the US as he addressed thousands of supporters at a pre-inauguration rally in Washington DC on Sunday night.
'Ring of steel' around Trump
Thousands of police, soldiers and FBI agents will form an impenetrable “ring of steel” around Trump and world leaders as officials brace for “the worst” at the inauguration.
Two FBI command centres, a cloud of drones and 30 miles of "unclimbable" fencing will bolster the fortress security operation as the threat of terrorism overshadows the event.
You can read more about this story in the link below.
In pictures: weather forces ceremony indoors as temperatures plummet
Here are some of the best pics from Donald Trump's MAGA rally at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Sunday.
The rally was held one day before Trump's inauguration ceremony today, which has been moved inside the US Capitol as temperatures are expected to be the coldest in 40 years.
Farage – and X – attend pre-inauguration rally
Plenty of famous faces including Tesla tycoon Elon Musk, British Reform MP Nigel Farage and embattled boxer Conor McGregor also made an appearance at the event
Musk's toddler, X, even ran onto the stage and danced as his billionaire dad gave a speech.
Farage was pictured speaking to McGregor at the event, below.
Protests in Manila at Trump inauguration
Protesters have gathered near to the US embassy in Manila today during an anti-US demonstration in the Philippines.
The protesters staged a demonstration ahead of the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump and to oppose US military bases in the Philippines
Thousands of fans attend pre-inauguration event
Thousands of Trump fans and celebrities filled the almost 20,000 seats at the stadium in Washington DC.
During his speech Trump vowed to immediately sign over 200 executive orders on a range of issues from cryptocurrency to Artificial Intelligence to gender debates.
He also promised to build an Iron Dome air defence system and bring global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to an end.
Here we go ...
Donald Trump grooved on stage with the Village People at his final rally before he is set to be sworn in as President today.
The MAGA man displayed his signature move - fist-pumping and swaying from side to side - in a victorious display at the huge pre-inauguration victory rally.