Donald Trump’s first speech as 47th US president “America’s golden age begins now”
Donald Trump’s first speech as 47th US president was received with joy by his adoring fans after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, after winning the presidential election in November 2024.
The new occupant of the White House has become the 47th President of the United States, succeeding Joe Biden. JD Vance is the country’s 50th vice president.
The inauguration took place inside the Capitol, in Washington, due to the low temperatures felt in the United States of America.
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States
Donald Trump’s speech echoed the dark “American carnage” remarks he delivered when he took office eight years ago.
He abandoned the lofty themes of bipartisanship and unity that presidents typically invoke during an inaugural address and instead deployed themes from his campaign, listing a number of personal grievances and attacking the federal government of the USA.
Joe Biden listened on a few a feet away, at times with his head bowed. Trump called his election a reversal of a “horrible betrayal” and proclaimed “America’s decline is over”.
He also set out his own policy priorities, including on immigration and energy production.
He is expected to begin implementing that agenda in the coming hours, potentially signing 100 executive orders today alone.
Trump vows to change name of Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’
During the speech, Donald Trump promises to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and bring back the “Panama Canal”. Trump is determined to take over all his neighbouring countries, Canada, Greenland and Mexico, if not with a direct rule, an offshoot of the US.
“The Panama Canal was given to the country of Panama after the US spent more money than on any other project and lost 38,000 lives to build the canal. This gift should never have been made. American ships are being severely mistreated,” he said.
Trump also assured that he will “send an astronaut to Mars”. A statement of intent that will please Elon Musk. who was stood a few yards away, and Elon Musk greeted that line with a broad grin and couldn’t hide his happiness on X.
Tech billionaires, cabinet nominees and former presidents were all at the swearing in ceremony in the rotunda of the US Capitol.
A hell of a way to start the next four years
President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance addressed US lawmakers in the Capitol.
Trump was introduced by his vice-president, who remarked that the president’s inaugural address was “a hell of a way to start the next four years”.
The day began for the incoming president and vice-president, along with their families, with a church service – a tradition for incoming presidents – at 08:30 local time and tonight will end with a party at the arena.
I was going to talk about the J6 hostages
Returning to Donald Trump’s remarks, the president once again hints that pardons of his supporters who stormed the US Capitol will come later today.
“I was going to talk about the J6 hostages,” Trump says, using Maga shorthand for the rioters, who he has also called “political prisoners”.
“You’ll be happy, because it’s action, not words that count,” he tells the crowd. “And you’re going to see a lot of action.”
We still await exactly what that action might be. It’s unknown how many of the rioters will be pardoned – and whether Trump will pardon the ringleaders, or those convicted of assault against police officers.
Joe Biden has just delivered a very brief farewell address
Joe Biden has just delivered a very brief farewell address at Joint Base Andrews – his first as a former president – before he and Jill Biden fly to California.
He said Trump’s inaugural address had shown “we have a lot more to do” and attempted to rally supporters to political action.
“We’re leaving the office but we’re not leaving the fray,” Biden went on, and encouraged Americans to stay engaged and take care of each other.
What’s coming up next on inauguration day?
Here’s what else we’re expecting over the coming hours:
- Lunch for guests: A formal lunch is being held in Statuary Hall now, where Trump will dine with his allies and supporters
- Parade: A modified inauguration parade will be held around the Capital One Arena, which Trump will attend
- Signing ceremony: Trump is expected to sign executive orders at the White House later this afternoon
- Inaugural balls: Three balls will take place this evening – the Liberty Ball, Commander in Chief Ball and Union Station Ball