Washington: Ahead of his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump held a campaign-style rally in freezing Washington, where he and his supporters celebrated his victory. Here are some key takeaways from Trump’s remarks on Sunday:
Immediate Action Expected
As indicated in previous statements, Trump is poised to sign a series of executive actions on Monday to deliver on his campaign promises.
“The American people have given us their trust, and in return, we’re going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history,” Trump said.
According to sources familiar with the preparations, Trump is set to sign over 200 executive actions on his first day in office. These actions are expected to address issues like border security, mass deportations, revoking government diversity initiatives, pardoning defendants from the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, boosting oil and gas production, and replacing thousands of career government bureaucrats, among other policy priorities.
Trump reaffirmed his commitment to dismantling “every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration” within hours of assuming office. He and other speakers at the rally asserted that Trump had been given a clear mandate to pursue his policy agenda.
While critical of his predecessor’s record, Trump mostly refrained from the sharp language typical of past rallies, possibly previewing the more reserved tone he intends to set in his inaugural address.
A Break from Tradition
The rally itself broke with tradition. Normally, following an election, the focus shifts from campaign rhetoric to a more substantive transition between administrations. However, the event at Capital One Arena felt very much like a continuation of Trump’s campaign rallies, with supporters decked out in red MAGA hats, Trump-branded shirts, and American-flag attire.
Familiar faces from past rallies also took the stage, including UFC CEO Dana White, long-time Trump adviser Stephen Miller, and Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric. Trump also reused many of his campaign themes, including border security and crime, and aired campaign videos throughout the event.
As his campaign drew to a close, Trump expressed regret that his rallies were coming to an end. Sunday’s event served as a nostalgic thank-you to his supporters.
“We’re all going to be sworn in together. That’s the way I look at it,” Trump told the cheering crowd.
A Contrasting Scene Ahead
The contrast between Sunday’s rally and Monday’s inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol will be striking. Tech industry leaders like Elon Musk of Tesla, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Google’s Sundar Pichai are expected at the swearing-in. These executives, along with many others, have made significant contributions to Trump’s inaugural fund.
Trump’s administration is set to be staffed with billionaires, including Musk, who will spearhead efforts to streamline government efficiency. Other notable appointments include Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary pick Scott Bessent, and Education nominee Linda McMahon.
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The inaugural balls, where Trump is expected to speak Monday night, will be invitation-only events likely attended by mega-donors and corporate elites. The tension between Trump’s populist base and his corporate allies could become more apparent as he moves forward with key policy decisions.
Co-President Musk?
Musk, a prominent supporter since Trump’s election win, joined Trump on stage during the rally to loud cheers from the crowd.
“We’re looking forward to making a lot of changes, and this victory is the start really,” said Musk, who will chair the new Department of Government Efficiency.
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However, Musk’s role is expected to extend beyond this specific function. He is likely to work closely with Trump’s appointees, including Russell Vought and James Sherk, to reduce the size of the federal government and replace career bureaucrats with Trump-appointed officials.
As a demonstration of his influence, Musk was called to the stage by Trump, while JD Vance, the incoming vice president, was not.
“Wherever the hell he is,” Trump quipped, searching the arena. “He’s here someplace.”
