Key takeaways from US President Donald Trump’s inaugural address

20 January 2025, 22:54

Attendees cheer as President Donald Trump speaks after taking the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington
APTOPIX Trump Inauguration. Picture: PA

Donald Trump declared that the country’s ‘decline’ will end immediately, ushering in ‘the golden age of America’.

US President Donald Trump’s second inaugural address featured similar themes to his first: a sweeping indictment of the country he inherits and grand promises to fix its problems.

Eight years ago, Mr Trump described “American carnage” and promised to end it immediately. On Monday, he declared that the country’s “decline” will end immediately, ushering in “the golden age of America”.

Mr Trump added a long list of policies that sounded more like a State of the Union speech than an Inauguration Day speech. But the broad themes were fundamentally Trumpian, setting himself up as a national saviour.

Breaking tradition, the Republican president delivered his remarks from inside the Capitol Rotunda due to the bitter cold outside. He spoke to several hundred elected officials and pro-Trump VIPs, tech titan Elon Musk among them.

Here are some takeaways from the speech:

– A promise of an American ‘golden age’

From the start, Mr Trump’s speech tracked his campaign rally approach: big promises of national success due to his leadership, with plenty of sweeping indictments of the status quo.

President Donald Trump gestures as he is joined on stage by vice president JD Vance after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington
President Donald Trump gestures as he is joined on stage by vice president JD Vance after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States (Morry Gash, Pool/AP)

“The golden age of America begins right now,” Mr Trump said after ticking through the requisite nods to former presidents and other dignitaries. He added several more hyperbolic but nebulous promises: The “start of a thrilling new era”. A nation “greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before”.

“Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced,” he continued. “Our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free.”

The underlying presumption, of course, is that Mr Trump is inheriting what he called throughout the 2024 campaign “a failed nation”.

He vowed to fulfil campaign promises to send troops to the US-Mexico border, boost domestic oil production and impose tariffs to “enrich our citizens”.

– Trump calls America’s past leadership corrupt

Mr Trump described America’s leadership over the last four years as incompetent and corrupt, echoing some of the darker rhetoric he promoted on a daily basis as a presidential candidate on the campaign trail.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with former president Joe Biden after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington
President Donald Trump shakes hands with former president Joe Biden after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States (Morry Gash, Pool/AP)

He did not call out his predecessor, former president Joe Biden, or any other Democrats by name, but there was no question about whom he was talking.

“We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalogue of catastrophic events abroad,” Mr Trump claimed.

He said the current government protects dangerous immigrants instead of law-abiding citizens, protects foreign borders at the expense of American borders and “can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency”.

And, as he often does, Mr Trump cast himself as uniquely positioned to fix it all.

“All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly,” he said.

As of Monday, Republicans control all three branches of the federal government.

– A perceived triumph over dark forces

Even before Mr Trump began to speak, a religious and political ally, the Rev Franklin Graham, touched on one of the new president’s most common themes – how he has been persecuted by unnamed evil forces.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart after the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart after the 60th Presidential Inauguration (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Mr Graham talked of Mr Trump’s “enemies” and the “darkness” of the last four years for Mr Trump personally.

When Mr Trump spoke, he tied attempts to prosecute him for trying to overturn his election loss to Mr Biden into his allegations of “weaponisation” of the Justice Department. He then linked them to the attempt to assassinate him in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July.

“The journey to reclaim our republic has not been an easy one, that I can tell you. Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom and, indeed, to take my life,” Mr Trump said.

The gunman was an apparently disturbed local 20-year-old man who had no documented ties to the Biden administration, the federal government or any other opponents Mr Trump has criticised.

Mr Trump then used striking language to explain how he survived. “I was saved by God to make America great again,” he said to applause.

– Lying about wildfires

Mr Trump’s lament about the state of the nation included disbelief that the fires around Los Angeles were still burning “without a token defence”.

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts (Morry Gash, Pool/AP)

That is false. Firefighters have been battling the blazes since they erupted and have made significant progress. The Eaton fire is 87% contained, and the Palisades fire 59% contained, according to CalFire.

– A peacemaker and a conqueror

Mr Trump has vowed to stop foreign wars and celebrated his role in helping implement a ceasefire in Gaza. “A peacemaker and a unifier, that’s what I want to be,” Mr Trump said.

Moments later he was vowing to regain the Panama Canal from Panama. “We’re taking it back!” Mr Trump declared, having previously declined to rule out using military force.

He pledged to pursue policy that “expands our territory” and to put US astronauts on Mars – a promise undoubtedly popular with Mr Musk, a major Trump supporter who has long pursued the same goal.

That cuts to the heart of one of the many contradictions in Mr Trump’s movement. The new president revels in a confrontational, macho approach that revved up his support among young men. His political career has been built on seeking conflict and tearing down rivals. Yet Mr Trump has also positioned himself as someone who will end conflicts and usher in peace.

– A line-up of tech titans

The audience in the Capitol Rotunda included some of the nation’s most powerful tech titans, who have moved to embrace Mr Trump since his victory.

From left, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington
Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)

Alongside Mr Musk were Google chief executive Sundar Pichai and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg and Apple chief executive Tim Cook were also in the audience. Mr Musk, tapped along with fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to head the Department of Government Efficiency, had prime seating behind Mr Trump’s children and in front of many of his cabinet nominees.

While the business leaders were allowed to bring their spouses, members of Congress were not. Thousands of Mr Trump’s supporters watched a broadcast of the swearing-in at Capitol One Arena instead.

– A range of reactions behind Trump

The Rotunda crowd was heavily tilted in Mr Trump’s favour, most of those in attendance clapping and even roaring during his speech. But one prominent seating section – former presidents, first ladies and vice presidents – was largely muted.

Former president Bill Clinton, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, former president George W Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former president Barack Obama in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington
Former president Bill Clinton, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, former president George W Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former president Barack Obama in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)

After Mr Trump repeated his vow to take over the Panama Canal, complete with the false claim that China runs the intercontinental channel, Mr Biden and former vice president Kamala Harris, among others, sat stone-faced, as did former president Bill Clinton. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state who lost to Mr Trump in 2016, turned to her left, musing something in former president George W Bush’s direction. Mr Bush, who famously joked about the weirdness of Mr Trump’s first inaugural address, was smirking.

Less than two weeks ago, Mr Trump was largely ignored at former president Jimmy Carter’s funeral. Mr Trump chatted with former president Barack Obama, but the rest of the former presidents and their wives bypassed him without a greeting.

– A different scene indoors

Inaugural speeches are traditionally delivered on the National Mall in front of tens of thousands of cheering supporters, many of them average voters from across America, who travelled great distances to witness history in person.

Not this one.

President Donald Trump gives his inaugural address during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington
President Donald Trump gives his inaugural address during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington (Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool/AP)

Mr Trump delivered his speech in front of a crowd estimated at only around 600 in the Capitol Rotunda, which was limited to members of Congress, cabinet nominees, Mr Trump’s family, business leaders and political VIPs.

It is noteworthy that four years ago, violent Trump loyalists stormed the Capitol Rotunda as members of Congress and vice president Mike Pence feared for their lives. Mr Pence attended on Monday, though his wife, former second lady Karen Pence, did not.

Speaking to supporters after seeing off Mr Biden outside the Capitol, Mr Trump said he was glad they had moved the ceremony indoors.

“We were freezing,” he told them. “You would have been very unhappy.”

– The second second inaugural

The speech had controversial moments, but Mr Trump said afterwards that it could have been much more so.

Mr Trump headed from the Rotunda to the Capitol Visitor Centre to thank supporters who had watched his address on screens. Then he gave a speech that was longer than the inaugural and much more freewheeling.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to speak at Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to speak at Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington (Angelina Katsanis/Pool Photo Photo via AP)

The new president said he had wanted to talk about supporting the people arrested for storming the Capitol on January 6 2021. He did not go there, he said, only because first lady Melania Trump and vice president JD Vance talked him out of the idea.

“They said, ‘Please, sir, it’s such a beautiful, unifying speech. Please, sir, don’t say these things,’” Mr Trump said. “I decided I’m not going to make this speech complicated. I’m going to make it beautiful. I’m going to make it a unifying speech.”

Still, Mr Trump made clear that he is going to help supporters arrested for storming the Capitol – “hostages”, he called them – and said that his actions would speak louder than any words.

More than 1,230 people have been charged with federal crimes over the riot, ranging from misdemeanour offences such as trespassing to felonies such as assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy.

Mr Trump also criticised Mr Biden’s decision to pardon his family members and members of the January 6 congressional committee. He called out Republican members of that committee – former Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois – by name.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

The damaged shield

'Risk of radioactive leak' after Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl, causing 'significant damage'

The woman was attacked by a shark

Horror as woman loses both hands after being mauled by shark as husband desperately fights it off

United States Vice-President JD Vance, second right, meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, third left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich

'Putin is a liar': Zelenskyy's warning to Trump as Ukraine's leader voices concern over 'risky' phone calls with Russia

JD Vance

Free speech is 'in retreat' across Europe, claims JD Vance - as US brands it a 'bigger threat than Russia'

Hostages (L-R) Sasha Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn,

Hamas confirms names of Israeli hostages due for release on Saturday

Danielle McLaughlin's killer Baghat was finally found guilty today

Indian man is found guilty of raping and murdering Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin in a field in Goa

Starmer welcomes Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, to Downing Street

Starmer tells Zelenskyy Ukraine remains on 'irreversible path to NATO membership' as leaders share phone call

Kayaker Adrian Simancas after being briefly swallowed by a humpback whale

Kayaker breaks silence over 'terrifying' moment he was swallowed whole by humpback whale - then spat back out

Pope Francis

Pope Francis to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis treatment

One Briton has died in a car crash in New Zealand

One Brit dead and three fighting for lives after car crashes into tourists’ hired bikes in New Zealand

A drone hit the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine

Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl causing 'significant damage' to shelter protecting world from radiation

JD Vance has warned the US could take military action against Russia.

US threatens Russia with military action if Ukraine peace talks fail as Putin hits Chernobyl with 'high-explosive warhead'

Donald Trump has been accused of 'appeasement'

Ukraine’s future at stake as world leaders gather in Munich - with Trump accused of ‘appeasing’ Putin

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist reveals list of countries that face being hit by huge 'city killer' asteroid the size of Big Ben

This illustrative image shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and United States President Donald Trump (right).

Donald Trump is 'setting preconditions for withdrawing from NATO', his former advisor tells LBC

Naya Rivera

Glee star Naya Rivera's heartbreaking final words to her son before she drowned revealed