‘Trump sworn in’ & ‘Southport killer pleads guilty’

Tuesday’s front pages are dominated by two main stories: Donald Trump’s inauguration and the guilty plea entered by Axel Rudakubana on the first day of his trial for the Southport attacks.  The 18-year-old admitted to killing three young children – aged six, seven and nine – at a dance class in Southport in July. 

Many papers lead with Trump’s inauguration and what America’s next four years under his leadership could look like. Some papers offer opinions on how the UK should approach the new leadership in the United States. 

‘He’s back!’ – Trump sworn in as 47th US president 

‘Trump waging war on everything,’ declares the Mirror.

The Daily Mirror declares “He’s back… and waging war on everything”. The paper picks up on Trump’s swift start to his presidency including starting the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization and declaring a national emergency at the southern border. 

‘World wait to see what happens next,’ claims the Metro.

The Metro dedicates its whole front page to the inauguration. The paper carries a picture of Trump hugging his family, saying “now the world waits to see what happens next…” 

‘Surging optimism,’ is how Boris Johnson summarises the inauguration for the Mail.

The Daily Mail leads with Boris Johnson’s experience at the inauguration. Writing in the paper, the former prime minister says Trump’s address was an expression of “surging optimism and pure bullishness.” 

‘Help us God,’ says the Daily Star.

The Daily Star has a different take on the news. Paraphrasing the oath taken by presidents as part of the inauguration ceremony, it says: “So help us God”.

‘Remarkable comeback as Trump vows golden age for America,’ says The Times.

The Times quotes the new president who vowed the “golden age of America begins right now.” The paper notes that his return – after defeat, criminal prosecutions and an assassination attempt – is a “remarkable comeback,” whilst noting his “far-reaching and combative policy agenda.”

‘Radical shake-up of global order,’ claims The Guardian.

The Guardian picks up on Trump’s comments that the US would “flourish and be respected again all over the world”. The paper describes it as a “radical shake-up of the global order”, and quotes him saying: “We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.”

‘Trump pledges boost in fossil fuel and crackdown on illegal migration,’ reports the i.

“Unleashed” reports the i newspaper. The paper says he began his new term by pledging a boost in fossil fuel production, promising a crackdown on illegal migration and signing an executive order proclaiming that the US government will officially recognise “only two genders.” The paper points out the irony of a convicted felon pledging to transform what he called a “declining country.” 

‘Trump has broader support now than when he left in 2021,’ reports the FT.

The FT reports Trump is returning to the White House with broader support than when he left in 2021. The paper says the 47th president has pledged to “deliver quickly on the populist and nationalist platform that swept him to victory in last year’s presidential race”. The paper highlights that Trump has repeated his vow to take back control of the Panama Canal and withdraw the US from the Paris climate accord. He has so far stopped short of announcing the new import tariffs pledged before the election. 

Several papers look at how the UK should approach a second Trump term. 

The Sun says there are “great opportunities for Britain from a US reborn in common sense.” 

The Daily Express calls on the PM to “embrace” the new president “for all our sakes”. 

But the Telegraph says Trump’s “America’s first” ideals will “come at a cost” to the UK. 

The Independent urges a pragmatic approach saying Sir Keir needs to “stand his ground when necessary.” 

Southport killer pleads guilty 

‘PM says state failed to protect three girls killed last summer,’ says The Sun.

The Sun asks “Why did no one stop him?”. The paper says the prime minister will address the nation today after ordering a public inquiry into the attack. The paper says Sir Keir has admitted the state “failed to protect” the three young girls killed by Axel Rudakubana last summer.

‘Rudakubana had been reported to counter-extremism scheme at least three times,’ says the Mirror.

The Daily Mirror says “failed by the state.” The paper says it can now be reported that he had been reported to the government’s Prevent counter-extremism scheme at least three times. He also pleaded to eight counts of attempted murder in relation to the eight other kids. 

‘Jenrick says PM must be open about what he knew regarding the nature of the attack,’ reports the Telegraph.

The Telegraph says Robert Jenrick is among those asking why the public were initially told the attack was not being treated as terror-related. He calls on the prime minister to “be open about what he knew” about the nature of the attack and when.