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Donald Trump made history today as he took the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States, marking an unprecedented return to the White House after his previous term ended in 2021. The ceremony, forced indoors to the Capitol Rotunda by frigid temperatures, represented the first indoor presidential inauguration in four decades.
Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath as Trump placed his hand on two Bibles - his childhood Sunday school Bible and the same Lincoln Bible used at his first inauguration. First Lady Melania Trump held the historic texts as the 78-year-old Trump became the oldest person ever sworn in as president and only the second to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland.
The path to Trump's return featured dramatic turns, including Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the race in July 2024 after their first debate. Biden's departure elevated then-Vice President Kamala Harris to the Democratic nomination, setting up a contest that Trump would win decisively in both the Electoral College and popular vote.
Trump's campaign persevered through two assassination attempts - one in Pennsylvania where a bullet grazed his ear, and another at his Florida golf course where Secret Service agents rushed him to safety. These incidents seemed to galvanize his support among voters.
In his inaugural address from the Rotunda, Trump called for a "revolution of common sense" and promised to usher in a "golden age of America." His speech emphasized national renewal and outlined an ambitious Day One agenda of over 200 executive actions focusing on border security, energy policy, and rolling back his predecessor's initiatives.
Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio was sworn in as Vice President, making history as the nation's first millennial to hold the office. At 40 years old, Vance brings generational change to the executive branch while representing continuity with Trump's policy vision.
The traditional morning began with the Bidens welcoming the Trumps back to the White House for tea before proceeding to the Capitol. Despite the arctic conditions forcing changes to the usual outdoor ceremony, the historic significance of the moment remained intact as Trump reclaimed the presidency he lost four years ago.