Donald Trump inauguration: Billionaire TV star becomes US President - as it happened
Former reality television star and property magnate sworn in at Capitol
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has been sworn in as US President. Here is how the day's events unfolded:
- New White House website reveals Trump's top priority - scrapping climate action
- In Washington DC, thousands boo as Trump takes oath of office
- Multiple arrests follow violent clashes between protesters and police
- Trump vows to 'eradicate Islamic terrorism' in inauguration speech
- What Trump said as he was sworn in - and what he really meant
- Obama leaves Oval Office for last time... and cracks a joke
- Protesters block Trump supports from the Mall
- Donald Trump's associates under investigation over links with Russian officials
- American flag burned as anti-Trump protests sweep the world
- 'Bridges not walls' demonstrations across UK
- The full schedule for inauguration day
- Obama 'Hope' artist issues new set of posters for Trump
- 'I've lived through six presidential inaugurations, this is the scariest'
- What incoming President's first day in office could look like
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
President Donald Trump is making his way down Constitution Avenue with a military escort as his inauguration parade begins in Washington.
The president will review the parade from a viewing stand near the White House.
He and first lady Melania Trump are riding in the presidential limousine nicknamed "The Beast."
Trump is being cheered by supporters as his car passes.
Others are shouting "Media sucks" while a group of protesters chants, "Not my president, not my president."
Earlier Mr Trump — in brief remarks at his inaugural lunch at the Capitol — said he was honoured that Hillary Clinton, his rival in the White House race, came to the event.
The bipartisan crowd of lawmakers and other dignitaries gave Clinton a standing ovation after Trump asked her to rise.
Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, sat with members of Trump's family at the event.
Trump ended by saying he has "a lot of respect for those two people."
Mr Trump was named the 45th President of the United States at midday on Friday. His inauguration was met with protests across Washington DC.
Donald Trump's presidency is likely to create bigger uncertainty for the European Union than Brexit, Philip Hammond has said.
"Brexit has introduced uncertainty. I think the change of administration in the U.S. has introduced an even bigger piece of uncertainty for the European Union," the Chancellor said in a panel discussion about the EU in the Swiss resort of Davos.
Mr Hammond said EU countries varied widely in how big a security threat they saw from Russia, where Mr Trump is forming closer ties.
"Anything that changes the settled status quo of a Europe that lives with Russia as a neighbour, but lives under a protective U.S. security umbrella as it does...will play into the dynamics of the European Union," he added.
The new President is believed to be planning on shutting down arts and heritage programmes as part of a raft of budget-tightening measures, Christopher Hooton writes.
The National Endowment For The Arts and the National Endowment For The Humanities are slated to be axed, and the Corporation For Public Broadcasting privatised.
An alternative take on inauguration day from British satirical news website the Daily Mash: 'We will not think any less of you if you back out now, humanity tells Trump'
Dublin is also holding the #bridgesnotwalls protests seen in London this morning and elsewhere around the world
Madonna, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, is trying to put a positive spin on the inauguration.
“He's actually doing us a great service, because we have gone as low as we can go,” she said on Thursday night.
“We can only go up from here, so what are we going to do? We have two choices, destruction and creation. I chose creation.”
The singer, dressed in all black and wearing a shirt that read “Feminist,” spoke at the Brooklyn Museum with artist Marilyn Minter about art in a time of protest.
Madonna said that while she was “horrified” that Mr Trump won the election over Hillary Clinton, she now believes it was necessary.
“I do believe that Trump was elected for a reason, to show us how lazy and un-unified and lackadaisical and taking for granted we've become of our freedom and the rights that we have as Americans,” Madonna said. “I feel like people forgot what was written in the Constitution.”
She added: “They always say it's darkest before the dawn and I feel this had to happen to bring people together, so let's get this party started.”
She will be among the celebrity protesters at attending Saturday's Women's March in Washington.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments