TRUMP LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE AND IS BELIEVED TO HAVE WRITTEN A NOTE FOR BIDEN
President Donald J. Trump left the White House on Wednesday morning for the last time as the commander in chief after four years that shook the nation. He has now been replaced as President by Joe Biden.
“Have a good life, we will see you soon (…) We were not a regular administration(…) We will be back in some form” Mr. Trump said before walking away and ignoring advisers belief that he should have thanked Mr. Biden by name and welcomed him to the office.
Mike Pence did not attend Trump’s farewell event but instead was present at Biden’s inauguration without Trump and his family.
Despite not adhering to the idea of a peaceful transfer of power, Mr. Trump did abide to one presidential tradition – leaving a note to Mr. Biden in the Oval Office, according to a White House official.
Mr. Trump left the White House on a red carpet, holding hands with his wife Melania Trump, and waved good-bye before boarding the helicopter. Just after 8 a.m, the helicopter took off to the Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryland where a farewell event was held with a 21-gun salute. Trump and his wife boarded Air Force One and made their way to Florida where they will now reside. They landed about one hour before Biden swore the oath of office.
“AMERICA UNITED” THEME
Along with masks as a necessary accessory, purple was the color of choice for this inauguration following the theme of “America United”, which combined the traditional red and blue shades.
We can also connect this to the color of the women suffrage movement in honor of the first woman to become Vice President in the USA. “Purple is the color of loyalty, constancy to purpose, unswerving steadfastness to a cause,” the National Woman’s Party wrote in a newsletter in 1913.
Vice President Kamala Harris chose a color blocked single-breasted coat and dress from Christopher John Rodgers. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also opted for the purple color with a Ralph Lauren pantsuit. Michelle Obama, on the other hand, opted for a wine-colored coordinated turtleneck and long coat by Sergio Hudson, a young Black designer. As for First Lady Jill Biden, she chose to match her husband’s blue Ralph Lauren tie and wore a Markarian coat.
LADY GAGA PERFORMANCE OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
After years of close ties with President Biden, Lady Gaga stood under the limelight as she sang the national anthem at the swearing-in ceremony.
She took it to Twitter to address her honor to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” and described the ceremony as a “transition” and “moment of change”.
She then added her intention to acknowledge “our past, be healing for our present, and passionate for a future where we work together lovingly. I will sing to the hearts of all people who live on this land”.
The singer complimented her look with a gold pin depicting a dove with an olive branch, a symbol of freedom and peace. She confirmed her message by writing on Twitter: “May we all make peace with each other”.
YOUNGEST INAUGURAL POET EVER, AMANDA GORMAN, RECITED HER WORK “THE HILL WE CLIMBED”
Amanda Gorman, 22, became the youngest inaugural poet when she recited her work “The Hill We Climb” which inspired hope and a sense of collective purpose in a time of political violence, division and a pandemic.
In an interview with the New York Times, she expressed her feelings of worry as she felt she was not up to the task she faced and finished her poem on the day Pro-Trump rioters stormed into the Capitol carrying weapons and Confederate flags. After taking the stage and sharing her art, Amanda Gorman, who grew up in Los Angeles and fell in love with poetry at a young age, joined people like Maya Angelou and Robert Frost in being recruited to help mark a presidential inauguration.
KAMALA HARRIS SWORN IN AS FIRST AFRICAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN WOMAN VICE PRESIDENT
Kamala Harris marked US history when she was sworn in as the first woman and first woman of color to hold the position of Vice President. This is a milestone for Americans who have fought for generations for equality between genders and races, and can now see a face resembling many in the government.
With the Senate now split equally between Republicans and Democrats, Harris may find herself in situations of a decision-making vote in issues such as the coronavirus, economy and climate change. One of her first duties was to swear in three new Democratic senators.
With her personal energy, charisma and ties, many expect the new President to rely on his VP in many crucial moments. Many also expect her to face tough choices about her political future as Biden is believed to not seek a second term due to his age.
But for now, she is the voice that so many women and American people of color have hoped to see in office.
JOE BIDEN SWORN IN AS 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. Was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday, in a moment when America struggles on an economic, health, and political levels. The new President swore to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution” in a ceremony led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
As he began his inaugural address, Joe Biden affirmed: “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day”.
After the events of January 6th 2021, the new President has clearly laid out the difference between him and Donald Trump when he said: “Democracy has prevailed”.
VIRTUAL PARADE ACROSS AMERICA
With the coronavirus pandemic, a made-for-screens montage of performers from all 56 states, territories and Washington D.C. replaced the traditional presidential parade from the Capitol to the White house.
The festivities were hosted by Tony Goldwyn and included an appearance by Jon Stewart, former “Daily Show” host, the reunited of The New Radicals band and included something known as the Dance Across America with Nathan Apodaca, who went viral on TikTok by drinking juice to “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac while skateboarding.
A student equestrian team from Indiana also performed alongside the Chicago South Shore Drill Team, the Kilgore College Rangerettes from Texas and the mascot of the Milwaukee Bucks pro basketball franchise.
Finally, according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the virtual parade included 1,391 participants, 95 horses and nine dogs.
JOE BIDEN AND HIS WIFE JILL BIDEN ARRIVE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
After 30 years of trying to become President, Joe Biden was sworn into office and Kamala Harris became the first woman and woman of color to hold the title of Vice President.
Instead of a crowd celebrating the moment, a sea of flags representing the more than 400,000 Americans who passed away due to COVID-19 were set out in addition to the 25,000 National Guard troops being deployed in the streets of Washington to prevent any violence.
The nation watched President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden step out of the presidential limousine and make their way to the White House through Pennsylvania Avenue with their grandchildren before they entered their new home.
FIRST 10 DAYS EXPECTATIONS FROM BIDEN’S ADMINISTRATION
Although President Biden has signed executive actions and memoranda, the new administration has laid out additional actions for their first 10 days in office starting on Thursday until the end of January. Many look at policies established by Biden’s predecessor.
Themes include :
- Jan. 20: Inauguration and four Crises
- Jan. 21: Covid
- Jan. 22: Economic Relief
- Jan. 23-24: Weekend
- Jan. 25: Buy America
- Jan. 26: Equity
- Jan. 27: Climate
- Jan. 28: Health Care
- Jan. 29: Immigration
- Jan. 30-31: Weekend
- February: Restoring America’s Place in the World
To find out more, listen to our radio program on Friday the 22nd of January at 4 p.m UK time.
