Trump takes victory lap, lays out goals at rally on eve of inauguration
U.S. president-elect promises 'brand-new day of American strength and prosperity'
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump used a raucous rally Sunday on the eve of his inauguration to promise swift Day 1 action remaking the federal government, shifting federal priorities at breakneck speed and ensuring that "the curtain closes on four long years of American decline."
Supporters filled nearly all of the 20,000-plus-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., for a "Make America Great Again" victory celebration, and cheered as Trump said he'd take quick action on everything from cracking down on the U.S.-Mexico border to promoting oil drilling, reining in the federal workforce and eradicating diversity programs.
"We're going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history," said Trump, who also promised to roll back executive actions by his predecessor, outgoing President Joe Biden, "within hours."
In an unusual move, Trump entered at the arena's concourse level and deliberately made his way down the stairs before his speech, stopping frequently to pump his fist and pose for pictures with rallygoers. It was even more surreal after he finished speaking, when the Village People took the stage and the president-elect sang — and even briefly danced — along to YMCA, an unofficial anthem of his campaign.
Trump said he'd jump-start his agenda with a series of unilateral actions from the White House, telling the crowd, "You're going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy. Lots of them."
Sunday was Trump's first full day back in Washington since his Nov. 5 election victory, and it gave him a chance to energize core supporters before the official pomp of inauguration day. Unlike when Trump helped spark a mob of his supporters to attack the Capitol and tried to retain power in 2021 after his loss to Biden, officials did not expect massive protests, unrest or violence.
Instead, jubilant crowds celebrated Trump's second term and MAGA's total control of the Republican Party.
Yet even with that comfortable victory and his party in full — albeit narrow — control of Congress, the incoming president is one of the most polarizing figures in U.S. history, with nearly as many fierce detractors as ardent supporters. That means it could be difficult for Trump to fulfil post-election pledges to promote bipartisanship while healing political differences.
Trump has nonetheless insisted that unity will be a theme of his inauguration speech on Monday, along with strength and fairness — despite spending months as a candidate saying that if elected, he would seek retribution against political enemies.
That was the theme of much of his rally speech on Sunday, when Trump returned to the greatest hits of his campaign — as if the race against Vice-President Kamala Harris hadn't already been long decided. Trump denounced "migrant crime" by evoking one of his favourite fictional characters, Hannibal Lecter, and promised to stamp out "woke" policies and oppose transgender rights.
"Tomorrow, at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride," Trump said, adding, "Once and for all, we're going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington."
With frigid temperatures expected Monday, Trump directed most of the outdoor events to be moved indoors, and officials held a rehearsal on Sunday for his swearing-in in the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda, which holds only 600 people compared to the 250,000-plus guests who had tickets to view the inauguration from around the Capitol grounds.