Trump to call for a ‘revolution of common sense’
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on Nov. 19, 2024, in Brownsville, Texas.
Brandon Bell | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Trump’s inaugural address will feature a memorable line calling for a “revolution of common sense,” reports Kristen Welker, host of NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
“I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country,” Trump will say, according to an incoming White House official.
“Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense,” Trump will tell the audience assembled in the rotunda.
“My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization,” the incoming president will say.
— Christina Wilkie and NBC News’ Kristen Welker
The Trumps had a late night on the town
Elon Musk (L), Ivanka Trump (2L) and Jeff Bezos (R) talk before US President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, on January 19, 2025, a day before his inauguration ceremony.
Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images
Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump were out on the town last night until late, attending a black-tie “candlelight dinner” at the National Building Museum with the who’s who of Washington’s new Trump establishment.
Guests included Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez, philanthropist and Trump mega-donor Miriam Adelson, incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump, Jr. and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson, Eric Trump and his wife Lara Trump, and Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner.
Vice President-elect JD Vance and incoming second lady Usha Vance were also there, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Trump HHS pick Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Melania Trump watches her husband, US President-elect Donald Trump, speak at a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, on January 19, 2025, a day before his inauguration ceremony.
Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images
The incoming president arrived at the museum around 9 p.m. ET, and left shortly after 11:30 p.m. He delivered brief remarks and thanked supporters. Save for the few minutes of Trump’s remarks, the dinner was closed to press.
— Christina Wilkie
Elon Musk met with China’s vice president on the sidelines of the inauguration
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Co-Chair of the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), arrives on Capitol Hill on December 05, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images
Elon Musk met with China’s vice president, Han Zheng, who is in town for the Trump inauguration.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Han “welcomed Tesla and other U.S. companies to seize opportunities and share the fruits of China’s development.”
In turn, Musk expressed “Tesla’s willingness to deepen its investment and cooperation in China and to play an active role in promoting China-U.S. economic and trade exchanges,” said the ministry.
Tesla’s largest single assembly plant is in Shanghai, and the company is a fierce competitor in China’s EV market.
Han also met with Vance and with U.S.- China business groups.
— Christina Wilkie
The theme of Trump’s inaugural address will be ‘unity’
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks after a meeting with Republicans in Congress at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 8, 2025.
Jeenah Moon | Reuters
Trump will deliver his second inaugural address immediately after he is sworn in today around noon. The theme of the speech will be “unity,” Trump told Kristen Welker, host of NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
“It’s going to be a message of unity.” said Trump. “We’re going to be talking about unity, and we’re going to be talking about success, making our country safe,” he said. “Basically it’s going to be about bringing our country together.”
“And no ‘American carnage’?” asked Welker, quoting the most memorable line of Trump’s first inaugural address.
“No American carnage, no,” Trump replied.
— Christina Wilkie
Here is the full schedule of inauguration events
The Rotunda is prepared for the inauguration of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 18, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
The Trump Vance inaugural committee has provided a sequence of events for today.
Much of the timing is fluid, but we know that Trump will assume the presidency at precisely 12:00 p.m. ET, and that his oath of office will be administered right before that.
Below is the committee schedule, modified slightly to add an event at the Capital One Arena in place of the traditional outdoor parade.
Monday, January 20, 2025
– St. John’s Church Service
– Tea at the White House
– Swearing-In Ceremony: US Capitol
– Farewell to the Former President and Vice President
– US Capitol Departure Ceremony
– The President’s Signing Room Ceremony
– JCCIC Congressional Luncheon
– Event at Capital One Arena [added to schedule]
– Oval Office Signing Ceremony at The White House
– Commander in Chief Ball: President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks
– Liberty Inaugural Ball: President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks
– Starlight Ball: President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks
— Christina Wilkie
