On January 20th, Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term as the 47th President of the United States. While his return to power was expected, what followed was full of eccentric and unexpected moments that defined the inauguration. Here are some of the most bizarre events:
1. Elon Musk’s ‘Nazi Salute’ Elon Musk, a well-known Trump supporter, found himself at the center of controversy when he appeared to give a Nazi salute twice during a rally following the inauguration. His gesture was met with backlash, although the Anti-Defamation League suggested it was an awkward motion, rather than a deliberate salute. Either way, it caused an uproar and left many puzzled about his intentions.
2. Trump Turns Inauguration into a Campaign Performance Trump didn’t waste any time turning official presidential duties into performance art. After his inauguration, he headed to Capital One Arena, where he gave another grievance-filled speech. To add drama, he signed several executive orders— including one withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement— and tossed pens into the crowd like a rock star tossing drumsticks. His fans cheered, but the theatricality of it was undoubtedly strange.
3. Fox News Hosts, Trump’s Biggest Fans Fox News was practically glowing as Trump took office again. Dana Perino described his speech as optimistic, even though it sounded more dystopian. Bill Hemmer’s over-the-top praise, calling Trump’s energy “that of 100 men,” seemed excessive, but it captured the network’s fervent adoration for the returning president.
4. Tech Billionaires Get VIP Treatment Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, who had all made significant contributions to Trump’s inauguration, were treated to front-row seats. Their presence was expected, but the sight of them sitting comfortably in prime spots— while Trump’s cabinet picks had to settle for less favorable positions— was bizarre. These billionaires, with their immense control over social media, seemed more like key players in shaping public opinion than just wealthy guests.
5. Hillary Clinton Laughs at Trump’s Bizarre Statement Trump’s speech included some curious proposals, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and restoring the name of Mount McKinley. The statement was odd, but Hillary Clinton’s reaction was priceless— she was caught laughing aloud. Her spontaneous laughter stood out as one of the few moments of levity, especially given the tense tone of the event.
6. The Clintons and Obamas Booed by the Crowd At the inauguration, the Trump supporters made their disdain for former presidents known, as both the Clintons and Obamas were greeted with boos from the audience. It’s not uncommon for political events to stir strong reactions, but the level of hostility shown to these former leaders was especially noticeable and unsettling.
7. Trump’s Over-the-Top Executive Orders After his swearing-in, Trump quickly signed multiple executive orders. One of the most striking was his immediate withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, echoing a similar action from 2017. As he signed, Trump tossed pens into the crowd, treating the moment like a concert. His signature moves— including tossing pens and smiling for the cameras— felt more like a reality TV show than a traditional presidential duty.
8. Trump’s Obsession with Naming Rights Trump spent part of his speech focusing on seemingly trivial issues like renaming the Gulf of Mexico and restoring the name of Mount McKinley. While many thought these issues were unnecessary, Trump spoke about them with such intensity as if they were the key to America’s revival. His obsession with naming rights was one of the stranger elements of the day.
Safe to say, it’s going to be an interesting 4 years.
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