More Michelle Obama rumors... Ivanka Trumps wardrobe malfunction... and the Lauren Sanchez problem: TOM LEONARD spills all the behind-the-scenes inauguration drama
For half an hour of MAGA ecstasy and Democrat misery, the Trump rhetoric soared to the very top of the Capitols 180-ft rotunda.
For half an hour of MAGA ecstasy and Democrat misery, the Trump rhetoric soared to the very top of the Capitols 180-ft rotunda.
The golden age of America begins right now, he told an audience that never missed a moment to leap to its feet and applaud wildly. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.
The man who insisted that, after escaping an assassins bullet last year, he was saved by God to make America great again painted a picture of the US that would surely bring a tear to any patriots eye.
The American Dream was back and thriving like never before, Trump declared, as historys greatest civilization rediscovered said greatness as a mighty republic of the most extraordinary citizens on Earth whose power will stop all wars… our golden age has just begun.
Perhaps not quite yet. For Trump had barely sat down when it became clear the Capitols sound system had broken, leaving singer Carrie Underwood to save the day and sing America The Beautiful a cappella.
It was another minor setback for a president whod earlier tried gamely to land a kiss on the face of a First Lady whose wide-brimmed hat repelled his advances.
He cant have it all his own way.
Whether hes been protected by divine intervention or not, Donald Trump has pulled off the most astonishing political comeback and today was the moment for him to sit back and revel in it.
Trump had barely sat down when it became clear the Capitols sound system had broken, leaving singer Carrie Underwood to save the day and sing America The Beautiful a cappella.
It was another minor setback for a president whod earlier tried gamely to land a kiss on the face of a new First Lady whose wide-brimmed hat accidentally repelled his advance.
Few who were at the Capitol – myself included – to witness his first inauguration in 2017 could have imagined wed ever see another Trump swearing-in.
After all, we knew that even he had been surprised by his shock victory over Hillary Clinton and nearly all the pundits regarded the Trump phenomenon as a mere aberration. Normal service would be resumed as soon as possible.
Instead its Trumpism that has resumed, and todays second inauguration was brimming with the confidence and conviction that the first one lacked eight years ago.
At least America has been spared another row over whose inauguration crowd is bigger. The intense cold put paid to any repetition of Trumps dogged 2017 claims challenging the notion that Barack Obama had attracted more people to Washingtons National Mall for his 2009 swearing-in ceremony.
With the inauguration moved inside the Capitol – and other celebrations inside the citys Capital One arena – Trump had a ready excuse for not breaking any records this time.
Nonetheless, Trump clearly puts great store by crowd size and he admitted at one point on Monday that he really hadn’t wanted the inauguration moved indoors.
Though at least he could console himself that the weather also kept away trouble-seeking Democrats, too.
Washington officials had earlier reported that applications for protest permits had been slow and although a few thousand turned out for a Peoples March on Saturday and another anti-Trump protest on Monday, there was no repetition of the sprawling Womens March on Washington the day after his 2017 swearing-in that attracted some 500,000 women wearing their memorable pink pussyhats.
Trump could certainly say that he went for quality rather than quantity this time.
A president who clearly likes to surround himself with attractive, wealthy people was blessed with the attendance not only of the perma-tanned MAGA elite of Palm Beach and Miami, but the tech kings of Silicon Valley. Some of the worlds richest men – including Elon Musk, Amazon-founder Jeff Bezos, Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg and Apples Tim Cook – were given many of the best seats in the Capitol Rotunda and returned the favor by joining in the endless standing ovations.
It was an astonishing turn-around for a group of billionaires who only a few years ago were ardent Democrats whose industry regarded The Donald with horror.
And one shouldnt forget the techies consorts. Lauren Sanchez, helicopter-flying fiancée of Jeff Bezos, managed to put all the usual discussions of the Trump womens outfits into the shade with hers.
The busty 55-year-old whose wardrobe never seems anything but figure-hugging wore a white Alexander McQueen pantsuit over a risqué white lace bustier. Social media erupted with complaints that her bra was entirely inappropriate for a state occasion.
Good grief, Lauren Sanchez. Put them away for one day, said one commenter. Others joked that she was dressed by Victorias Secret.
Mark Zuckerberg, sitting next to her in the rotunda, at times seemed like he didnt know where to look.
For others, Sanchezs outfit only served to highlight the stylishness of Melania Trump, the ex-model wearing a far more restrained Adam Lippes tailored navy silk wool coat – and of course that wide-brimmed hat, which served the additional function of hiding her expressions.
Lauren Sanchez, helicopter-flying fiancée of Jeff Bezos, certainly managed to put all the usual discussions of the Trump womens outfits into the shade with hers. Social media erupted with complaints that her bra was entirely inappropriate for a state occasion.
Mark Zuckerberg, sitting next to her in the rotunda, at times seemed like he didnt know where to look.
Ivanka Trump, meanwhile, was also a victim of social-media mockery as some commenters drew an unkind similarity between her forest-green Dior skirt suit with the outfits worn by the wives of the oppressive leaders in the dystopian TV series The Handmaids Tale.
The presidents eldest daughter, 53, had already drawn anger – this time chiefly directed at fashion designer Oscar de la Renta – after she wore several of de la Rentas outfits during the weekends pre-inauguration festivities.
Furious Trump opponents ludicrously called for a boycott of the designers clothes. (Usha Vance, the wife of the new vice president, wore a pale pink de la Renta outfit for the inauguration ceremony).
One woman, however, was noticeable not for her appearance but her non-appearance at the inauguration. Michelle Obama broke with the usual tradition of ex-presidents and their spouses attending each swearing-in ceremony, leaving Barack to walk into the Capitol on his own.
Although Michelle has given no explanation for her absence, sources close to the former First Lady stress she has stepped away from public life and certainly doesnt want to return to it in order to honor Trump.
Theres no overstating her feelings about him, a source close to Michelle told People magazine.
Ivanka Trump was also a victim of social-media mockery as some commenters drew an unkind similarity between her forest-green Dior skirt suit with the outfits worn by the wives of the oppressive leaders in the dystopian TV series The Handmaids Tale.
Trump certainly wont miss her and nor will his supporters who, watching live footage down at the Capital One Arena, booed loudly when they saw Barack arrive at the Capitol.
For Trump, who later appeared at the arena to sign some of 100 executive orders within hours of taking office, the day provided ample opportunities to do what he enjoys most: talk.
He effectively delivered two inauguration addresses – one from a teleprompter in the rotunda and another unscripted, more rambling one later at the Capitols visitor centre in which he railed against his enemies, complained about Bidens last-minute pardons and referred to the MAGA supporters jailed for their part in the January 6 2021 attack on the Capitol as hostages.
Some of those ‘hostages’, ironically, were back in DC last night – only this time to celebrate rather than to agitate.