Donald J. Trump took the oath of office Monday to become the 47th President of the United States. The setting was indoors—practical, sure, but it also felt symbolic. Outside, the January air cut to the bone, and maybe, just maybe, that’s what this moment needed: a stage, some walls, and a controlled temperature.
The man himself declared he’d been “saved by God to make America great again,” and if that’s the case, then God must be a fan of chaos. The speech was classic Trump, a greatest hits album of grievance and grandiosity. He promised excellence, success, and, of course, the end of America’s decline, which he claimed had been a problem until about five minutes earlier.
“We will not forget our country, we will not forget our Constitution, and we will not forget our God,” Trump said, and the room full of his supporters roared. Say what you want about the man—he knows his audience.
A Divided Room in a Divided Nation
The Capitol Rotunda was packed, though the lines dividing the crowd were as clear as ever. On one side, Republicans clapped like this was the greatest moment in human history. Across the aisle, Democrats sat in silence, like they’d all just been told the bad news they already suspected. Biden sat to Trump’s left, staring at the floor like he’d seen this play before and hated the ending. Kamala Harris avoided the stage entirely, turning her head to the side as if she could tune out the noise. And then there was Hillary Clinton, who let out an audible laugh when Trump promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” If nothing else, it was good to see someone having fun.
Promises and Punchlines
Trump’s promises came fast and loud. A national emergency at the southern border. Troops to stop what he called an invasion. A new “golden era” for America, complete with high tariffs, oil drilling, and the dismantling of diversity initiatives. He said he’d bring back Mount McKinley, reclaim the Panama Canal, and even plant the American flag on Mars. The man dreams big, you have to give him that.
And then there were the names. Denali, Gulf of Mexico—why stop there? Maybe he’ll rename the Atlantic. Maybe the moon. At this point, why not?
But it wasn’t just renaming things. Trump talked about being “colorblind,” which, in his version, seemed to mean pretending racism doesn’t exist while dismantling anything designed to address it. He promised to end America’s decline, which felt less like a strategy and more like wishful thinking.
Outside the Rotunda
While Trump spoke inside, his supporters gathered outside. Some waved banners, others yelled. A group with a Proud Boys flag shouted obscenities about liberals and anti-fascists. They weren’t subtle, but subtlety has never been the point.
Not everyone was screaming, though. A woman came from Texas, with her own list of hopes. Free the January 6 prisoners. Kick Biden out of office. Build more border walls. She was polite, almost cheery, as she rattled off her wishes, as if ticking off items on a grocery list.
A man came all the way from Ontario, to see the inauguration. He said he’d welcome Canada becoming part of the United States, a statement so wild it almost demanded a follow-up. But no one asked.
A Nation at Odds
Trump ended his speech with a promise: “From this moment on, America’s decline is over.” It was the kind of line that sounds good on television, the kind of line his supporters will repeat. But the thing about decline is, it doesn’t just stop. It’s a slow grind, a mix of big decisions and small compromises, and no one speech or president can change that overnight.
The crowd cheered. The Democrats sat silent. And somewhere in the distance, someone probably rolled their eyes. This is America now—a country split down the middle, trying to decide whether it’s falling apart or just coming back together in a way no one recognizes.
As Trump left the stage, flanked by billionaires and cheering fans, one thing was clear: the show isn’t over. Not even close.
ed: note: And this happened.
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All photos by Vincent Candela
