Trump calls for a ‘common sense revolution’
On November 19, 2024, US President-elect Donald Trump watched the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas.
Brandon Bell | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Kristin Welker, host of NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” reports that Trump’s inaugural address will feature a memorable line calling for a “revolution of common sense.”
According to incoming White House officials, Trump will say: “I return to the presidency with confidence and optimism that we are at the beginning of an exciting new era of national success. A wave of change is sweeping the nation.”
“Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders. Through these actions, we will begin the radical restoration of America and the revolution of common sense,” Trump will tell the audience gathered in the Rotunda.
“My message to Americans today is that now is the time for us to once again act with the courage, vigor and vitality of the greatest civilization in history,” the incoming president will say.
—Christina Wilkie and Kristen Welker, NBC News
The Trumps spent a late night on the town
Elon Musk (left), Ivanka Trump (second from left) and Jeff Bezos (right) attend a candlelight ceremony for U.S. President-elect Trump at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on January 19, 2025 The speech was delivered at the dinner, a day before the inauguration.
Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump stayed late last night in town, attending a black-tie “candlelight dinner” at the National Building Museum with celebrities from the new Trump Organization in Washington.
Guests include Musk, Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, philanthropist and Trump megadonor Miriam Adelson, incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump Jr. and girlfriend Bettina Anderson, Eric Trump and his wife Laura Trump, Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner.
Also in attendance were Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and incoming second lady Usha Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for the Department of Health and Human Services Meeting.
Melania Trump watches as her husband, U.S. President-elect Trump, speaks at a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on January 19, 2025, the day before Trump’s inauguration.
Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
The incoming president arrived at the museum around 9 p.m. ET and left shortly after 11:30 p.m. The dinner was closed to the media except for a few minutes of Trump’s speech.
— Christina Wilkie
Elon Musk meets China’s Vice President during inauguration
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and co-chairman of the newly formed Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE) will arrive at the Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2024.
Anna Money Tree | Getty Images
Musk Met with visiting Chinese Vice President Han Zheng Trump’s inauguration.
according to a statement From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, South Korea “welcomes Tesla Join other U.S. companies in seizing opportunities and sharing the fruits of China’s development.
Musk said, “Tesla is willing to deepen investment cooperation in China and play an active role in promoting Sino-US economic and trade exchanges.”
Tesla’s largest single assembly plant Based in Shanghai, the company is a strong contender in China’s electric vehicle market.
Han also met with Vance and U.S.-China business groups.
— Christina Wilkie
The theme of Trump’s inauguration speech will be “unity”
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks after meeting with congressional Republicans at the U.S. Capitol on January 8, 2025 in Washington.
Gina Moon | Reuters
Trump will deliver his second inaugural address immediately after being sworn in at noon today. this Speech Topic Trump told NBC News “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker that it would be “unity.”
“This will be a message of unity,” Trump said. “We’re going to talk about unity, we’re going to talk about success and making our country safe,” he said. “Basically, it’s going to be about bringing our country together.”
“Isn’t there an ‘American Holocaust’?” Welker asked, quoting one of the most memorable lines from Trump’s first inaugural address.
“There is no American Holocaust, no,” Trump responded.
— Christina Wilkie
Here’s the full schedule of inauguration events
The Rotunda is being prepared for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, United States, on January 18, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee provides a series of events for today.
Much of it is uncertain, but we do know that Trump will be inaugurated as president promptly at 12 noon ET and that his oath of office will be administered before then.
Below is the committee’s schedule, modified slightly to add an event at Capital One Stadium in lieu of the traditional outdoor parade.
Monday, January 20, 2025
– St. John’s Church Service
– Tea at the White House
– Swearing-in Ceremony: U.S. Capitol
– Farewell to the former President and Vice President
– U.S. Capitol Departure Ceremony
– Presidential Signing Room Ceremony
– JCCIC Congressional Luncheon
– Events at Capital One Arena (Added to schedule)
– Signing Ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House
– Commander in Chief Power: President Donald J. Trump speaks
– Lady Liberty Inaugural Ball: President Donald J. Trump speaks
– Ball of the Stars: President Donald J. Trump speaks
— Christina Wilkie
