The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee will spend a record $170 million on a weekend of inauguration celebrations across Washington and Virginia, the Trump transition team has announced.
Three inaugural balls will mark Trump’s return: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball.
Unlike Biden’s 2021 inauguration, where no balls held due to COVID-19, Trump’s events will span multiple venues in Virginia and Washington.
But overall, the total number of balls is smaller than other previous administrations, with Barack Obama hosting 10 balls in 2009 and Bill Clinton attending 14 in 1997.
The Village People will perform at both the Capital One Arena victory rally and Turning Point’s Inaugural Eve Ball on January 19, playing their iconic Y.M.C.A. song that has become a staple at Trump rallies.
“The financial benefits have been great as well as Y.M.C.A. is estimated to gross several million dollars since the President Elect’s continued use of the song,” Village People lead singer Victor Willis said.
Rock stars Kid Rock and Billy Ray Cyrus join the lineup at Capital One Arena.
Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio, and Lee Greenwood will perform at the inauguration ceremony.
The committee requires $1 million minimum donations for direct access to Trump or Vice President-elect J.D. Vance during the inauguration events, double the 2017 amount.
Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump has announced her plans for post-inauguration living, saying she’ll split time between son Barron Trump in New York, the Trump’s Florida home, and the White House in Washington, D.C.
“I know where I will be going. I know the rooms, where we will be living, I know the process,” Melania Trump told Fox News Monday. “The first time was challenging. We didn’t have much of the information.”
“But this time I have everything,” Melania Trump said about the transition. “I have the plans, I could move in, I already packed, I already selected, you know, the furniture that needs to go in.”
“My first priority is to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife,” Melania Trump said. “And once we are in on January 20, you serve the country.”
A fireworks display at Trump’s Sterling golf club opens events January 18, located just 20 miles from Capitol Hill in Virginia.
January 19 includes an Arlington Cemetery ceremony, a MAGA rally for supporters of the president, and a candlelight dinner where Trump will speak.
Inauguration Day begins at St. John’s Church, followed by the swearing-in, congressional luncheon, parade, and balls.
Barron Trump will be down in Washington, D.C. from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Trump’s inaugural fundraising far exceeds previous records. Obama’s 2009 inauguration raised $53 million, while Clinton’s 1997 inauguration raised less than $24 million.
A National Prayer Service will conclude the celebrations and inauguration ceremonies on January 21.
The Inauguration Schedule is currently set with the following events:
Saturday, January 18, 2025
- The President’s Reception and Fireworks at Trump Sterling
- Cabinet Reception and Vice President’s Dinner
Sunday, January 19, 2025
- Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony
- Wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Make America Great Again Victory Rally
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks - Candlelight Dinner
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks
Monday, January 20, 2025
- St. John’s Church Service
- Tea at the White House
- Swearing-In Ceremony
- US Capitol
- Farewell to the Former President and Vice President
- US Capitol Departure Ceremony
- The President’s Signing Room Ceremony
- JCCIC Congressional Luncheon
- The President’s Review of the Troops
- Presidential Parade
- Pennsylvania Avenue
- Oval Office Signing Ceremony at The White House
- Commander in Chief Ball
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks - Liberty Inaugural Ball
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks - Starlight Ball
President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks
Tuesday, January 21, 2025