“We won’t hesitate to break down the garden gate” has a different meaning when performed for an audience with unconfirmed whereabouts January 6, 2021, doesn’t it? Trump will be sworn into office on January 20, the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. While Trump’s previous inauguration was sparsely attended (remember when 30 Rock had a whole episode about there being no famous Republicans?), this time, the mask is off and celebrities are out. For all those looking to engage with Inauguration Day 2025, find out who’s performing, where to watch, and some solid recs for what to watch when it all gets too real.
Inauguration Day is January 20, 2025. President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice-President-elect J.D. Vance will be sworn in at a ceremony beginning at 12 p.m.
Sunday, January 19
Wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Victory Rally at 3 p.m. ET
Candlelight dinner
Monday, January 20
60th Inaugural Ceremonies at 12 p.m. ET
Presidential parade
Signing ceremony at the White House
Commander-in-Chief Ball
Liberty Inaugural Ball
Starlight Ball
A slew of country stars. Carrie Underwood will be performing “America the Beautiful” at the ceremony.
There are also three official balls this weekend: Gavin DeGraw is headlining the Starlight Ball; Jason Aldean, of “Try That in a Small Town” fame, is doing the Liberty Ball, with CBS reporting that Nelly is also set to join the lineup; and Rascal Flatts will perform the Commander-in-Chief Ball.
Most of the major networks will be airing the ceremony, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and C-Span. But if you don’t have either cable or access to broadcast TV, you can stream the ceremony on the White House website.
The night before the inauguration, there will be a “Victory Rally.” The MAGA event will include Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood, and the Village People, who are apparently pro-Trump after originally issuing a cease-and-desist against him in 2023 for playing “YMCA” at his rallies. Though, it’s probably worth noting for those confused, the only member of the original lineup who is currently in the Village People is Victor Willis.
If you can’t stomach watching the inauguration, we recommend Severance season two, which premieres January 17, or any of the work of a different American Idol winner. Maybe start with The Color Purple, with Fantasia, before From Justin to Kelly.
