Donald Trump’s second inauguration took place on Monday, January 20, 2025. The formal ceremony began at approximately 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, while the vice-presidential and presidential oaths began at noon ET.
The event was moved indoors because of freezing temperatures, so the ceremony took place inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda rather than on the Capitol’s West Front. The official ceremony, including the oaths and inaugural address, remains available to watch online.
When did Trump’s 2025 inauguration start?
| Part of the event | Time | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Opening ceremony | Approximately 11:30 a.m. ET | Musical performances, remarks and invocations began. |
| Swearing-in ceremony | Noon ET | JD Vance took the vice-presidential oath, followed by Donald Trump’s presidential oath. |
| Inaugural address | After Trump’s oath | Trump delivered his address as the 47th president. |
The ceremony’s noon timing has a constitutional significance. Under the 20th Amendment, the president’s term begins at noon on January 20, even if the oath is administered slightly before or after that exact moment.
Where was the ceremony held?
The ceremony was originally expected to take place outdoors on the Capitol’s West Front. A severe cold-weather forecast changed those plans. The oaths and the rest of the formal ceremony were held in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.
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This was only the second presidential swearing-in ceremony held in the Rotunda because of inclement weather. The first was Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985, when dangerous cold also forced an indoor ceremony.
How to watch the inauguration replay
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies hosts the official video through its 60th Inaugural Ceremonies page. Look for the “WATCH THE 60th INAUGURAL CEREMONIES” section. It links to the January 20, 2025 YouTube recording as well as separate clips covering:
- JD Vance’s vice-presidential oath
- Donald Trump’s presidential oath
- Trump’s inaugural address
- Musical performances and other portions of the ceremony
That official page is the most useful option if you want the ceremony itself rather than a news channel’s surrounding commentary.
How live coverage was scheduled
For viewers following the event live, CBS News announced coverage beginning at 6 a.m. ET on CBS News 24/7 and at 7 a.m. ET on the CBS Television Network. Its main inauguration coverage was scheduled from 9 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. ET.
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CBS made the coverage available through CBSNews.com, the CBS News app, YouTube, Paramount+ and Pluto. It also offered a dedicated American Sign Language stream with live ASL interpreters.
What happened after the oaths?
The inauguration was a sequence of events rather than a single address. The program included:
- The procession to the Capitol
- The vice-presidential and presidential swearing-ins
- Trump’s inaugural address
- The outgoing president’s honorary departure
- The presidential signing ceremony
- The inaugural luncheon
- A military review
- The presidential parade
The cold weather changed the parade as well. Instead of following its usual outdoor route along Pennsylvania Avenue, it was held inside Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Was Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025?
Yes. Donald Trump was sworn in for his second, nonconsecutive term on Monday, January 20, 2025, becoming the 47th president. JD Vance was sworn in as vice president.
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Search results and older announcements may still describe an outdoor West Front ceremony or a traditional outdoor parade. Those plans were superseded by the weather-related changes made before Inauguration Day. The completed ceremony took place in the Capitol Rotunda, and the parade took place at Capital One Arena.
The next presidential inauguration is scheduled for January 20, 2029.
Useful official references
- Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: 60th Inaugural Ceremonies
- USA.gov: Presidential Inauguration
- National Park Service: Schedule of Events
FAQ
What time did Trump’s inauguration ceremony begin?
The formal ceremony began at approximately 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on January 20, 2025. The oaths began at noon ET.
What time was Donald Trump sworn in?
Donald Trump took the presidential oath after JD Vance’s vice-presidential oath, with the swearing-in ceremony beginning at noon Eastern Time.
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Where was Trump’s 2025 inauguration held?
It was held inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. The ceremony was moved from the Capitol’s West Front because of freezing weather.
Can I still watch the inauguration?
Yes. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies provides the official January 20, 2025 recording and separate clips through its “WATCH THE 60th INAUGURAL CEREMONIES” page.
The Bottom Line
Trump’s 2025 inauguration ceremony started at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET on January 20, with the oaths beginning at noon ET. Because of the cold, it took place in the Capitol Rotunda, while the parade was moved indoors to Capital One Arena. The official ceremony replay is available from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
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