The Sights of Washington and Trump’s Liberty Ball
The Sights of Washington and Trump’s Liberty Ball
President Trump’s second inauguration was celebrated in style.
(Country artist Jason Aldean performs at the Liberty Ball. | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
Chants of “U.S.A, U.S.A.!” broke out as the anticipation built up for President Donald Trump and the Trump family’s appearance at the Liberty Ball. Trump, only hours removed from assuming his second non-consecutive term in office, gave an impassioned speech to his supporters.
Entering Washington, D.C., it was apparent that the District was teeming with law enforcement and military personnel. Exiting the metro station, several soldiers from the United States Army were present at each entrance.
(United States Army soldiers interact with inauguration attendees at the entrance of the Metro Center station. | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
Dump trucks blocked the streets to prevent vehicle access. Law enforcement, including local and federal officers, was positioned on each block.
(The corner of 11th Street and G Street, with dump trucks blocking the road and a police presence | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
Arriving outside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, many eager attendees of the Commander-in-Chief Ball and Liberty Ball were greeted with lines stretching multiple blocks.
(Attendees line up outside the Walter E. Johnson Convention Center (right). | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
The long lines, frigid twenty-degree weather, and some attendees' unprepared attire caused significant grumbling among the crowd.
Attendees were shepherded into the ball after passing through a security apparatus run by TSA. Hundreds of United States Army soldiers and state troopers, who hailed primarily from Florida, provided additional security.
(United States Army soldiers with Humvees provided security to the event. | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
Riding down several sets of escalators, attendees were met with dozens of buffet lines and multiple open bars. Other entertainment options included multiple golf simulators, a Draft Kings-sponsored sports betting area where hundreds watched the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, and multiple photography backdrops.
(Entrance to the Liberty Ball, featuring an open bar and food buffets | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
Dozens of members of the media were present, with Fox News having the largest presence. The station hosted various segments from an area set up within the venue, with hosts Jesse Watters and Dana Perino present.
(Wrestler and commentator Hulk Hogan rips his shirt in half while being interviewed by Jesse Watters for Fox News. | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
Several music artists were slated to perform during the evening, although rapper Nelly was absent despite reporting to the contrary. Country artist Jason Aldean was the night’s headliner, performing for nearly an hour.
Aldean described the Inauguration as a “Huge day for this country,” saying that it was “time to get this s— back on track.” Aldean, whose performance of the song “She’s Country” was briefly halted due to a medical emergency in the crowd, ended his concert by saying, “God bless President Trump, God bless America.”
(West Virginia State Senator Jack David Woodrum and wife Debra look onto Jason Aldean’s performance. | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
Aldean’s show was better received than that of Billy Ray Cyrus, whose technical difficulty-laden performance received national attention. After Aldean, the United States Air Force Band performed, staying on stage for singer Mary Millben’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The Village People performed the night’s closing act.
At 11:08, with “Sweet Home Alabama” playing, Secret Service agents began to sweep through the crowd. Around 11:15, President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, several members of the Trump family, Vice President JD Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance all came on stage, greeted by raucous applause.
Vance thanked the crowd for their support and for helping to make “this election too big to rig.” Vance later described Trump as “the best president that this country has had, a man who has put everything on the line for the United States of America.”
Trump, who started his comments by noting, “This is a hell of a day we’re having,” talked first about the Inauguration and his speech, which he described as having received “tremendous reviews.”
Trump then moved his focus forward, stating, “We’re going to turn this country around fast." He noted that America’s assets, like the American people and its natural resources, are feeding this turnaround. Trump then introduced and complimented each member of his and the second family.
Trump later described America as having “a longing for competence” and for “common sense.” Giving examples of common sense, Trump noted his opposition to biological men competing in women’s sports.
Summarizing a few of his goals as president, Trump stated “We want education. We want houses that don’t cost a fortune. We want low interest rates. We want low taxes. We want a strong, powerful military, and we’re going to have that.” Trump later said, “I’d like to say we are a great nation. We will soon be the greatest we’ve ever been, and that won’t take long.”
(Attendees exit the Liberty Ball. | SOURCE: The W&L Spectator)
At the conclusion of the evening’s events, the crowd quickly filtered out as the Village People played. Many quickly headed to the nearest metro station, eager to make the last train, others to cars, but all seemed excited both from the night’s events and for the next four years.
