Why Donald Trump’s 2025 Inauguration Ceremony Will Take Place Indoors

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Michelle Obama to Miss President-Elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration

A cold front has blown into Washington D.C.

In fact, the bout of cold weather has affected the Jan. 20 Presidential Inauguration, causing the ceremony that will see Donald Trump sworn in for a second term to be moved inside.

“I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather,” Trump posted on Truth Social Jan. 17. “We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In.”

He added, “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th.”

The decision affects those who bought tickets to attend the ceremony—where President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will pass the reins to Trump and J.D. Vance—as the Rotunda cannot hold as many people as the lawn of the U.S. Capitol building.

Instead, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies encouraged ticket holders to find “indoor venues of their choice” from which to watch the proceedings, noting, “The vast majority of ticketed guests will not be able to attend the ceremonies in person.”

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The committee added that those who had tickets to view the ceremony from Presidential Platform as well as members of Congress will be able to attend the indoor ceremony.

But despite the changes made, the majority of the schedule of events for the inauguration will continue as planned—including a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Carrie Underwood, who will be joined by the Armed Forced Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.

"I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event," she said in a statement to E! News Jan. 13. "I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."

In addition to the country star’s performance, opera singer Christoper Macchio will perform the national anthem while Lee Greenwood will perform his song “God Bless the USA.”

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The Village People also shared they would be participating in activities related to Inauguration Day, despite acknowledging to fans in a Jan. 13 Facebook post, “We know this wont make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.”

“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign,” the band continued, noting, “where our preferred candidate lost.”

For more from Inauguration Day, keep reading.

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Barron Trump, Melania Trump & Donald Trump

Take them to church: Barron Trump joined mom Melania Trump (in a coat by American designer Adam Lippes) and his father, president-elect Donald Trump for services at Washington, D.C.'s St. John's Church as part of the 2025 Inauguration Day festivities Jan. 20.

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Ivanka Trump

Incoming first daughter Ivanka Trump also put on her Monday best for the church services.

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Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

"Welcome home," President Joe Biden said as he and First Lady Jill Biden greeted the Trumps at the White House.

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Usha Vance, Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris & JD Vance

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff were also on hand to welcome incoming VP JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance at the White House.

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Michael Boulous & Tiffany Trump

Pregnant Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos joined her father at the St. John's Church services.

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Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner

Former advisor Ivanka was joined at the services by husband Jared Kushner and their kids Arabella, Joseph and Theodore.

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Elon Musk

Trump pal Elon Musk took in the view as he arrived inside the Capitol Rotunda.

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Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar & Donald Trump

Before delivering her speech, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar led Biden and Trump out of the White House. "While we have major differences of opinions on policy and the like," she said of chairing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, "I want to make sure this works,” Klobuchar said of the ceremony."

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Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush & Laura Bush

Among the former presidents and first ladies on hand: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush and Laura Bush.

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George W. Bush, Laura Bush & Barack Obama

With wife Michelle Obama not attending, former president Barack Obama hung with the Bushes.

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Eric Adams

New York City mayor Eric Adams worked the room at the Capitol.

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Janet Jones & Wayne Gretzky

Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet Jones were among those who decided to take a shot at watching the inauguration.

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Rupert Murdoch & Elena Zhukova

Former Fox Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch (joined by wife Elena Zhukova) was among the billionaire businesspeople in attendance.

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Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk

Tech talk: Tesla CEO Musk socialized with Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

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Robert F. Kennedy

Trump's pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy came to watch him get sworn in.

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Mitch McConnell & Elaine Chao

Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell held tight to wife Elaine Chao.

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Jake Paul & Logan Paul

Influencer turned boxer Jake Paul was on hand with his brother, wrestler Logan Paul.

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Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined Amazon exec Jeff Bezos, his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, Pichai and Musk on the dias at the Capitol.

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Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr.

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Barron Trump

Trump's youngest child—New York University student Barron—traveled to Washington, D.C. to watch him take the oath of office for the second time.

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Christopher Macchio

Opera tenor Christopher Macchio was tapped to sing the National Anthem. "I was looking forward to seeing 100,000 people spread across the National Mall," he acknowledged to the Associated Press ahead of the events. "Unfortunately I won’t be getting that visual while I perform, but it’s still going to be such a tremendous honor."

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Shou Zi Chew

Hours after TikTok went dark (and then restored service) in the United States, CEO Shou Zi Chew turned up at the inauguration.

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Tim Cook, Vivek Ramaswamy & Kristi Noem

Apple CEO Tim Cook posed alongside onetime presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem.

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Melania Trump & Donald Trump

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JD Vance, Usha Vance & Donald Trump

Just before noon, Vance took the oath of office to become vice president while wife Usha and daughter Mirabel looked on.

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