Donald Trump becomes 45th President of the United States of America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It was a day many thought they would never see. However, to the music of a roaring sea of red baseball caps, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America.

This morning, as thousands gazed up at the majesty of the Capitol and millions more fixed their eyes on screens all across the globe, Mr. Trump addressed a divided nation. Yet, before the time even came close for President-elect Trump to take the oath of office, scores of people shuffled through entrance gates, the hum of excited chatter in the air.

Many, including Derek Saffie, a college student from Windham, New Hampshire, were eager to make their enthusiasm known.

“I’m looking forward to a better economic future for the country,” said Saffie. “I know he’s going to add a lot of jobs. He has had experience doing that, which really no other president has.”

While others, such as Tom Sinclair from Rochester, New York, stressed the same importance on jobs and job creation, Michigan native, Margaret Erle, brought forward a different expectation she had for the administration.

“I’m most excited for our next generation,” said Erle. “I think you will have more opportunities afforded to you with some of the changes that’ll be made in this structure of government.”

For these three supporters and the many others that joined them at this morning’s ceremony, hope seemed to be on the horizon. Still, the inauguration was not without its hiccups. As past and present members of the U.S. government filed into their seats, it was clear that the angst felt throughout the election had not fully run out.

As Bill and Hillary Clinton entered center stage, a wall of boos and “lock her up” chants met their ears. The same welcome was granted to Senators Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders. In fact, throughout much of his speech, Schumer was drowned out by calls to “drain the swamp” and the chorus of Stream’s “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye.”

It wasn’t until “America the Beautiful” rang through the speakers that a hush took hold of the audience. For a few moments, all that could be heard was the soft melody sung in total unison. It was in this moment, that there seemed to be a glimpse of a unified America. Though this didn’t last long. While the song came to an end, the crowd, as if with one voice, cried, “USA! USA! USA!”

As President Trump made his way to the podium, rain gently began to fall around him. After thanking the Obamas and those in attendance, Trump charged headfirst into a speech built on giving America back to the people.

He went on to announce that January 20, 2017, would be remembered as the day rule was given back to the people of the U.S.

“This is your day, this is your celebration, and this, the United States, is your country,” said Trump. “We are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the people.”

Then, after promising to be the champion of America “with every breath” in his body, Trump declared he would never let the people down. He then concluded his address with the same message with which he began his campaign.

“Together we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make American proud again. We will make America safe again. And yes, together, we will make America great again.”</s>In a historic transfer of power, Republican Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America at the Capitol Hill on Friday succeeding Barack Obama. On that account, the official Twitter account has been handed over to Trump and his staff. The @POTUS handle had its origins under former President Barack Obama in 2015. The new President, however, is yet to tweet his first message on the handle which already has around 4.25 million followers.

Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama’s last message to America was when called on people to remember that they must work to bring the change.</s>Facts about the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president

Jan 20 (Reuters) - With his left hand on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th U.S. president around noon (1700 GMT) on Friday and give an address at the west front of the U.S. Capitol before leading a parade to the White House.

Here are some facts about his inauguration:

* Weather is forecast to be wet and unseasonably warm. The National Weather Service predicts temperatures nearing 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) and rain tapering off by midafternoon.

* After breakfast and a church service, Trump and his wife, Melania, will meet outgoing President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House. Following tradition, Trump and Obama will ride together down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol.

* Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will swear in Mike Pence as vice president. Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to Trump.

* Trump will give an inaugural address expected to last about 20 minutes. His spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump will give "a very forward-thinking, very inspiring, together-oriented speech" on solving such problems as creating jobs.

* As many as 900,000 people are expected to turn out for the event, including thousands of protesters. After the ceremony, the Obamas will leave the Capitol to begin their post-White House lives. Trump and Pence stay for lunch.

* Starting around 3 p.m. (2000 GMT), Trump, Pence and their families will lead a parade up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Inaugural organizers expect more than 8,000 people to take part, including high school and university marching bands, equestrian corps and veterans groups.

* Donald and Melania Trump may step out of their limousine briefly along the parade route to wave to well-wishers. Three inaugural balls are scheduled in the evening.

* Following tradition, Obama will leave his successor a letter in the Oval Office desk. Its contents have not been divulged.

* While 20 minutes may seem short for an inaugural address, it would not be the shortest. George Washington's second inaugural speech in 1793 consisted of about 130 words.

* The honor of longest inaugural address goes to William Henry Harrison, whose March 4, 1841, speech contained more than 8,440 words and lasted an hour and 45 minutes. Harrison, who gave his speech in a howling snowstorm without a hat or a coat, died of pneumonia a month later. (Compiled by Jonathan Oatis; Editing by Howard Goller)</s>Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States Friday during a time-honored inauguration ceremony that encapsulated the peaceful transfer of power that is a hallmark of American democracy.

On a raised platform on the flag-draped West Front of the Capitol, Trump placed his left hand on one Bible that dates from his childhood and another that belonged to Abraham Lincoln and raised his right hand in the air as he promised to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

Under gray skies and in front of a crowd stretching most of the way from the Capitol toward the Washington Monument, Trump took the oath from Chief Justice John Roberts with the new first lady Melania Trump by his side.

Trump revived some of the hardline rhetoric from the campaign during his inaugural address.

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," Trump said with Obama looking on.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also attended the ceremony. Hillary Clinton, who Trump defeated in the November election, was also in the audience in a show of support for national unity and the peaceful transfer of presidential authority.

The swearing-in was one of many traditions that began unfolding early Friday morning. Trump and his family attended a private worship service at St. John's Church, known as the church of presidents. The Obamas greeted Trump and the new first lady, Melania Trump, at the North Portico of the White House before hosting them for tea.

Earlier in the morning, Barack Obama wrote a letter to Trump and left it on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, as outgoing presidents typically do for their successors. As Obama left the Oval Office for the final time, he was asked if he had any words for the American people. "Thank you," Obama said.

The customs and symbolism that are playing out -- from Trump's ride to the Capitol with Obama to the First Couple's dance at an inaugural ball -- are familiar. But the circumstances of this inauguration -- the 58th in the nation's history -- could hardly be more unconventional.

When the presidential primary season began nearly a year ago, few thought Trump could survive the battle for the Republican nomination -- much less beat Clinton to win the presidency. He will be the oldest president sworn in for a first term and the first president with no previous diplomatic, political or military executive experience.

But his populist campaign deeply resonated with Americans who were fed up with Washington's political class and felt left behind in the globalizing economy.

Trump began a day of ceremony Friday morning by attending the traditional inauguration day worship service. When they arrived at the White House, Melania Trump brought a gift for the Obamas in a blue box wrapped in a bow, which the President handed into an aide before returning for a photo.

Trump took the oath of office, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, on two Bibles, one that he used as a child and the other used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration.

In what is always a poignant moment, the former president and his family will soon head to Andrews Air Force base for a farewell ceremony before taking one last flight on the presidential jet. The Obamas are heading to Palm Springs, California, for a vacation.

Trump will attend a joint congressional inaugural luncheon in the Capitol before heading back to the White House for the inaugural parade. In the evening, Trump and the new first lady will attend two inaugural balls, part of the stripped down inaugural festivities that aides say are meant to stress that the new president is eager to get to work.

Trump's supporters, who sent him to Washington to rip up political norms and thwart the establishment, are thrilled as he assumes power. The crowds started streaming towards the National Mall as dawn broke, with many people wearing Trump's distinctive red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps.

But millions of Americans are also anxious, owing to the abrasive tone of Trump's campaign and fears over the consequences of his strongman leadership style.

Trump has vowed to tear up US trade deals that he says disadvantage US workers, confront a rising China and improve estranged relations with Russia, despite allegations that Moscow interfered in the election.

He has set high expectations for his presidency by promising to return jobs to US shores and reviving the manufacturing industry. He has pledged to crush ISIS and introduce tough new vetting on immigrants from countries where there is terrorist activity, raising fears of discrimination against Muslims.

He is promising to build a wall on the southern border, to crack down on undocumented migrants and to gut the financial and environmental regulations that are at the center of the Obama administration's legacy.

The world will be watching Trump's inauguration closely because it will usher in a period of uncertainty and instability as he's shown every sign he plans to be as disruptive to convention on the international stage as at home.

Still, the peaceful transfer of power from Obama to Trump, his longtime political nemesis, represents a moment of unity and stability in a wild political era.

New presidents typically use the inaugural address -- viewed by a huge crowd fanned out on the National Mall and millions of television viewers -- to issue a call for national unity and ease the wounds of divisive elections. They typically remind Americans of the values and the history that binds them and of the nation's historic mission.

Trump, so far, has done little to reach out to his foes since November.

"He is still talking as if he is the insurgent candidate rather than the President-elect," said Robert Rowland, an expert on presidential rhetoric at the University of Kansas. "Historically, presidents who are effective use inaugural addresses to heal the wounds of the campaign, to talk about what it means to be an American, to discuss shared values and lay out their political principles to come across as a strong not vain leader."

He added: "The question with Trump is, if he did those things, would it go against the personality he has established for himself?"

The inauguration represents an important potential reset moment for Trump, who begins his presidency with the worst approval ratings of any modern president.

Aaron Kall, editor of a new book "I Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential Inaugural Addresses of the Last Forty Years," said that it is "imperative" for Trump to build some political running room for himself with his address.

"He needs the support of the public and the speech is a great way to get that," Kall said.

One person familiar with Trump's prep says he has spent "countless hours" practicing his speech and rehearsing it - far more time than he's devoted to other big speeches.

"This is the pinnacle," the person said.

After the most polarizing elections, new presidents often take the chance to pay tribute to their defeated rival. In 2001, Bush thanked his vanquished foe Al Gore for a "contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace." Trump will be closely watched to see if he offers a similar gesture of reconciliation to Clinton.

Incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Thursday that Trump's inaugural address, which is expected to last around 20 minutes, would come from the heart.

"It's going to be a very personal and sincere statement about his vision for the country. He will discuss what it means to be an American," Spicer said, adding that Trump would also address the challenges faced by the middle class. "He'll talk about infrastructure and education, our manufacturing base. I think it's going to be less of an agenda and more of a philosophical document. A vision of where he sees the country, the proper role of government, the role of citizens."</s>What To Expect For Donald Trump's Inauguration

The peaceful transition of American power will be witnessed by the world once again Friday. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. That has brought jubilation in conservative America. For them, Trump's win is a sigh of relief, a repudiation of Barack Obama's America and a pause on the liberalization of the world's remaining superpower.

But this day isn't without controversy. There are hard feelings — and fear — in the other America. That America sees Trump's win as unfair and unjust — given Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, given Russian meddling in the election intended to boost Trump, and given the unprecedented way Trump presented himself during the campaign. He went after all comers. No one was beyond reproach or the basest insult.

A polarized country, which in many ways can be separated by how one views Trump, sets the backdrop for the incoming president's inaugural speech. And Trump has a powerful bully pulpit to work from. While he is coming into office with the lowest favorability ratings of any president since polling began, he also has the biggest Republican majority in the House in a century and a majority in the Senate. Trump has pledged to keep his inaugural speech short, but what he says could have far-reaching consequences. Those words may signal a critical course for how he intends to reach out across the American divide — and how he intends to govern.

The speech, while central, is one part of a full day of events.

Here's what to expect throughout the day:
• Events begin with a service at 8:30 a.m. ET. at Saint John's Church, across from the White House.
• Trump's and Pence's families then attend a tea at the White House with the outgoing president and Michelle Obama, before heading to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
• The swearing-in ceremony is expected to begin around 11 a.m. ET, with the inaugural address to follow. Trump will be sworn in with Lincoln's Bible, the same used for Obama's ceremonies. He will also use his personal Bible.
• The families of the new president and vice president head to a congressional luncheon at the Capitol. What's on the menu? Steak, ice cream, lobster and chocolate souffle, USA Today reports.
• Meanwhile, the Obamas fly to Joint Base Andrews, where Obama will say farewell to his staff before leaving for Palm Springs, Calif.
• The inaugural parade begins at 3 p.m. More than 8,000 people will be led by Trump and Pence from the Capitol to the White House, according to Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee, which has a full list of participants, including members of the military, veterans groups, school bands and Boy Scouts of America.
• In the evening, President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Pence and second lady Karen Pence will attend the Liberty and Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center.</s>Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States Friday during a time-honored inauguration ceremony that encapsulated the peaceful transfer of power that is a hallmark of American democracy.

On a raised platform on the flag-draped West Front of the Capitol, Trump placed his left hand on one Bible that dates from his childhood and another that belonged to Abraham Lincoln and raised his right hand in the air as he promised to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

Under gray skies and in front of a crowd stretching most of the way from the Capitol toward the Washington Monument, Trump took the oath from Chief Justice John Roberts with the new first lady Melania Trump by his side.

Trump revived some of the hardline rhetoric from the campaign during his inaugural address.

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," Trump said with Obama looking on.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also attended the ceremony. Hillary Clinton, who Trump defeated in the November election, was also in the audience in a show of support for national unity and the peaceful transfer of presidential authority.

The swearing-in was one of many traditions that began unfolding early Friday morning. Trump and his family attended a private worship service at St. John's Church, known as the church of presidents. The Obamas greeted Trump and the new first lady, Melania Trump, at the North Portico of the White House before hosting them for tea.

Earlier in the morning, Barack Obama wrote a letter to Trump and left it on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, as outgoing presidents typically do for their successors. As Obama left the Oval Office for the final time, he was asked if he had any words for the American people. "Thank you," Obama said.

The customs and symbolism that are playing out -- from Trump's ride to the Capitol with Obama to the First Couple's dance at an inaugural ball -- are familiar. But the circumstances of this inauguration -- the 58th in the nation's history -- could hardly be more unconventional.

When the presidential primary season began nearly a year ago, few thought Trump could survive the battle for the Republican nomination -- much less beat Clinton to win the presidency. He will be the oldest president sworn in for a first term and the first president with no previous diplomatic, political or military executive experience.

But his populist campaign deeply resonated with Americans who were fed up with Washington's political class and felt left behind in the globalizing economy.

Trump began a day of ceremony Friday morning by attending the traditional inauguration day worship service. When they arrived at the White House, Melania Trump brought a gift for the Obamas in a blue box wrapped in a bow, which the President handed into an aide before returning for a photo.

Trump took the oath of office, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, on two Bibles, one that he used as a child and the other used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration.

In what is always a poignant moment, the former president and his family will soon head to Andrews Air Force base for a farewell ceremony before taking one last flight on the presidential jet. The Obamas are heading to Palm Springs, California, for a vacation.

Trump will attend a joint congressional inaugural luncheon in the Capitol before heading back to the White House for the inaugural parade. In the evening, Trump and the new first lady will attend two inaugural balls, part of the stripped down inaugural festivities that aides say are meant to stress that the new president is eager to get to work.

Trump's supporters, who sent him to Washington to rip up political norms and thwart the establishment, are thrilled as he assumes power. The crowds started streaming towards the National Mall as dawn broke, with many people wearing Trump's distinctive red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps.

But millions of Americans are also anxious, owing to the abrasive tone of Trump's campaign and fears over the consequences of his strongman leadership style.

Trump has vowed to tear up US trade deals that he says disadvantage US workers, confront a rising China and improve estranged relations with Russia, despite allegations that Moscow interfered in the election.

He has set high expectations for his presidency by promising to return jobs to US shores and reviving the manufacturing industry. He has pledged to crush ISIS and introduce tough new vetting on immigrants from countries where there is terrorist activity, raising fears of discrimination against Muslims.

He is promising to build a wall on the southern border, to crack down on undocumented migrants and to gut the financial and environmental regulations that are at the center of the Obama administration's legacy.

The world will be watching Trump's inauguration closely because it will usher in a period of uncertainty and instability as he's shown every sign he plans to be as disruptive to convention on the international stage as at home.

Still, the peaceful transfer of power from Obama to Trump, his longtime political nemesis, represents a moment of unity and stability in a wild political era.

New presidents typically use the inaugural address -- viewed by a huge crowd fanned out on the National Mall and millions of television viewers -- to issue a call for national unity and ease the wounds of divisive elections. They typically remind Americans of the values and the history that binds them and of the nation's historic mission.

Trump, so far, has done little to reach out to his foes since November.

"He is still talking as if he is the insurgent candidate rather than the President-elect," said Robert Rowland, an expert on presidential rhetoric at the University of Kansas. "Historically, presidents who are effective use inaugural addresses to heal the wounds of the campaign, to talk about what it means to be an American, to discuss shared values and lay out their political principles to come across as a strong not vain leader."

He added: "The question with Trump is, if he did those things, would it go against the personality he has established for himself?"

The inauguration represents an important potential reset moment for Trump, who begins his presidency with the worst approval ratings of any modern president.

Aaron Kall, editor of a new book "I Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential Inaugural Addresses of the Last Forty Years," said that it is "imperative" for Trump to build some political running room for himself with his address.

"He needs the support of the public and the speech is a great way to get that," Kall said.

One person familiar with Trump's prep says he has spent "countless hours" practicing his speech and rehearsing it - far more time than he's devoted to other big speeches.

"This is the pinnacle," the person said.

After the most polarizing elections, new presidents often take the chance to pay tribute to their defeated rival. In 2001, Bush thanked his vanquished foe Al Gore for a "contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace." Trump will be closely watched to see if he offers a similar gesture of reconciliation to Clinton.

Incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Thursday that Trump's inaugural address, which is expected to last around 20 minutes, would come from the heart.

"It's going to be a very personal and sincere statement about his vision for the country. He will discuss what it means to be an American," Spicer said, adding that Trump would also address the challenges faced by the middle class. "He'll talk about infrastructure and education, our manufacturing base. I think it's going to be less of an agenda and more of a philosophical document. A vision of where he sees the country, the proper role of government, the role of citizens."</s>The peaceful transition of American power will be witnessed by the world once again Friday. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. That has brought jubilation in conservative America. For them, Trump's win is a sigh of relief, a repudiation of Barack Obama's America and a pause on the liberalization of the world's remaining superpower.

But this day isn't without controversy. There are hard feelings — and fear — in the other America. That America sees Trump's win as unfair and unjust — given Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, given Russian meddling in the election intended to boost Trump, and given the unprecedented way Trump presented himself during the campaign. He went after all comers. No one was beyond reproach or the basest insult.

A polarized country, which in many ways can be separated by how one views Trump, sets the backdrop for the incoming president's inaugural speech. And Trump has a powerful bully pulpit to work from. While he is coming into office with the lowest favorability ratings of any president since polling began, he also has the biggest Republican majority in the House in a century and a majority in the Senate. Trump has pledged to keep his inaugural speech short, but what he says could have far-reaching consequences. Those words may signal a critical course for how he intends to reach out across the American divide — and how he intends to govern.

The speech, while central, is one part of a full day of events.

Here's what to expect throughout the day:
• Events begin with a service at 8:30 a.m. ET. at Saint John's Church, across from the White House.
• Trump's and Pence's families then attend a tea at the White House with the outgoing president and Michelle Obama, before heading to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
• The swearing-in ceremony is expected to begin around 11 a.m. ET, with the inaugural address to follow. Trump will be sworn in with Lincoln's Bible, the same used for Obama's ceremonies. He will also use his personal Bible.
• The families of the new president and vice president head to a congressional luncheon at the Capitol. What's on the menu? Steak, ice cream, lobster and chocolate souffle, USA Today reports.
• Meanwhile, the Obamas fly to Joint Base Andrews, where Obama will say farewell to his staff before leaving for Palm Springs, Calif.
• The inaugural parade begins at 3 p.m. More than 8,000 people will be led by Trump and Pence from the Capitol to the White House, according to Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee, which has a full list of participants, including members of the military, veterans groups, school bands and Boy Scouts of America.
• In the evening, President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Pence and second lady Karen Pence will attend the Liberty and Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center.</s>Donald Trump is getting sworn in Friday as the 45th President of the United States at the U.S. Capitol ... and we're live streaming the ceremony.

Trump is set to place his hand on the Good Book and take the Presidential Oath at noon, EST -- and, of course, there's plenty of pomp and circumstance leading up to that too.

For the record ... here's what you're listening for: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."</s>Happy Friday, MarketWatchers. It was a historic day and the end of a work week, so enjoy your weekends, starting with these top stories in personal finance.

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Haven’t subscribed yet to MarketWatch’s daily personal finance newsletter? Sign up here.</s>The peaceful transition of American power will be witnessed by the world once again Friday. Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. That has brought jubilation in conservative America. For them, Trump's win is a sigh of relief, a repudiation of Barack Obama's America and a pause on the liberalization of the world's remaining superpower.

But this day isn't without controversy. There are hard feelings — and fear — in the other America. That America sees Trump's win as unfair and unjust — given Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, given Russian meddling in the election intended to boost Trump, and given the unprecedented way Trump presented himself during the campaign. He went after all comers. No one was beyond reproach or the basest insult.

A polarized country, which in many ways can be separated by how one views Trump, sets the backdrop for the incoming president's inaugural speech. And Trump has a powerful bully pulpit to work from. While he is coming into office with the lowest favorability ratings of any president since polling began, he also has the biggest Republican majority in the House in a century and a majority in the Senate. Trump has pledged to keep his inaugural speech short, but what he says could have far-reaching consequences. Those words may signal a critical course for how he intends to reach out across the American divide — and how he intends to govern.

The speech, while central, is one part of a full day of events.

Here's what to expect throughout the day:
• Events begin with a service at 8:30 a.m. ET. at Saint John's Church, across from the White House.
• Trump's and Pence's families then attend a tea at the White House with the outgoing president and Michelle Obama, before heading to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
• The swearing-in ceremony is expected to begin around 11 a.m. ET, with the inaugural address to follow. Trump will be sworn in with Lincoln's Bible, the same used for Obama's ceremonies. He will also use his personal Bible.
• The families of the new president and vice president head to a congressional luncheon at the Capitol. What's on the menu? Steak, ice cream, lobster and chocolate souffle, USA Today reports.
• Meanwhile, the Obamas fly to Joint Base Andrews, where Obama will say farewell to his staff before leaving for Palm Springs, Calif.
• The inaugural parade begins at 3 p.m. More than 8,000 people will be led by Trump and Pence from the Capitol to the White House, according to Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee, which has a full list of participants, including members of the military, veterans groups, school bands and Boy Scouts of America.
• In the evening, President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Pence and second lady Karen Pence will attend the Liberty and Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
Donald Trump is officially sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.