Trump’s $37k-per-minute Inauguration: here’s what’s planned for Day One

TradingKey - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will officially assume office as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, less than a week from now. Trump’s team has announced the inauguration schedule, and the event’s costs, along with Trump’s first-day initiatives, have drawn significant attention.

On Monday, January 13, Trump’s inaugural committee announced the schedule for the inauguration. The activities will span four days, including a celebration rally before inauguration day, three official balls, and a fireworks display.

January 18, 2025

President’s Reception and Fireworks at Trump Sterling

Cabinet Reception and Vice President’s Dinner

January 19, 2025

Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony

Make America Great Again Victory Rally

Candlelight Dinner

January 20, 2025

St. John’s Church Service

Tea at the White House

Swearing-In Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol

Farewell to the Former President and Vice President

U.S. Capitol Departure Ceremony

President’s Signing Room Ceremony

JCCIC Congressional Luncheon

President’s Review of the Troops

Presidential Parade

Oval Office Signing Ceremony at the White House

Commander-in-Chief Ball

Liberty Inaugural Ball

Starlight Ball

January 21, 2025

National Prayer Service

What's Different This Time?

Trump’s inaugural committee has raised over $170 million and is expected to reach $200 million. According to data from the non-profit organization OpenSecrets, the cost of Trump’s inauguration activities is exceptionally high, with an estimated expenditure of $37,000 per minute—more than four times the $8,600 per minute cost of former President Obama’s first inauguration.

Compared with recent U.S. presidential inaugurations, the location and number of ball venues for Trump’s event are notably different. While the inaugurations of President Biden and others were held entirely in Washington, D.C., several of Trump’s celebratory events will take place at his golf course in Virginia.

Trump’s three official inauguration balls are significantly fewer than the 10 official balls and dozens of unofficial events held during Obama’s 2009 inauguration, despite the latter’s inaugural committee raising just $53 million.

What Will Trump Do First?

According to a report by TIME, Trump has outlined several initiatives he plans to address on his first day as president, including:

Closing the border and reinstating travel bans

Mass deportations and ending birthright citizenship

Pardoning January 6 prisoners

Ending the Russia-Ukraine war

Reversing the ‘electric vehicle mandate’ and Green New Deal policies

Rolling back federal regulations

Banning transgender individuals from women’s sports and the military

Cutting federal funding for ‘woke’ educational policies