President Donald Trump assumed office for a second, non-consecutive term on Monday and his inauguration marked a pivotal moment in American politics with certain moments going viral online.
From promises to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, to an alleged Nazi salute from Billionaire Space-X owner and head of Trump’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk, here’s a breakdown of key moments from Trump’s inauguration.
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‘SAVED BY GOD’
Trump began his presidential address by stating that “the golden age of America begins right now.”
He also referenced the July 2024 assassination attempt on his life saying he was “saved by God to make America great again.”
‘TWO GENDERS’
Trump stated that the official position of the United States government is that there are “only two genders.”
“As of today it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female,” he said.
RENAMING AND CLAIMING GEOGRAPHICAL LANDMARKS
Trump confirmed that he would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Some members of the audience were seen chuckling at this remark, including former First Lady and presidential candidate Hilary Clinton and former second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, who was filmed shaking his head in disapproval alongside a number of other attendees.
Trump said that Denali, the highest mountain in North America, located in Alaska, would be restored to Mount McKinley after the 25th U.S. President William McKinley. According to the government it has officially been named Mount McKinley since 1917.
Despite the mountain being given the name Denali thousands of years ago by native Koyukon Athabascans, debate over its official name continued until 2015 when President Obama officially recognized the peak as Denali as part of his campaign promise to improve relations between the government and Indigenous communities.
During his address, President Trump stated that America would take back the Panama Canal. The Panama government took over the key trade route in 1999 after a period of joint American-Panamanian control.
“We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made,” he stated. “And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated,” the president said.
Trump was referencing the “Permanent Neutrality Treaty” which was signed in 1977 and continues in perpetuity.
ELON MUSK’S SALUTE
Trump’s billionaire crony Elon Musk, who will also helm the newly coined Department of Government Efficiency, was seen on two occasions giving a controversial salute, which appeared to be similar to a Nazi salute, to a rapturous crowd of Trump supporters at a post-inaugural event.
IMMIGRATION
The president said he would declare a national emergency at the southern border and that he would reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which was ended by the Biden administration in 2021.
Under this policy, migrants seeking asylum in the United States will be required to stay in Mexico while they await their hearings in U.S. immigration courts, rather than being allowed to remain in the U.S. during the asylum process.
Trump also said he will send troops to the border to “repel” an “invasion.”
AMERICANS ON MARS
The president said he wants to send an American astronaut to Mars. Musk, who spent hundreds of millions of dollars on Trump’s campaign, echoed this shared ambition during a speech at Trump’s inauguration celebration on Monday.
SEN. JOHN FETTERMAN’S LOUNGWEAR
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman rocked up to Trump’s inauguration wearing grey basketball shorts, sneakers, and a black Carhartt hoodie, despite the ceremony being moved inside due extremely cold temperatures.
The Democratic senator sat front row in the Capitol Rotunda in his laid back garb.
MELANIA TRUMP’S GIANT HAT
The First Lady’s large brimmed hat, which cast a menacing shadow over her eyes, gained attention online, with many speculating that the generously sized headwear was intended to create distance between her and her husband.
A comical moment from the inauguration captured a kiss gone awry when her head accessory blocked a peck from the newly sworn in president.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD’S TECH ISSUE
Country Star Carrie Underwood, who arrived on stage to sing “America the Beautiful,” but her performance got off to a rocky start after a backing track malfunction forced her to perform a cappella with the help of the crowd.
TRUMP’S “VERY TALL” SON, BARRON
President Trump introduced his 18-year-old son Barron Trump to crowds at his inauguration celebration.
The teenager recently went viral on TikTok after an old video of him speaking with a distinctly Slovenian accent surfaced online.
The president introduced Barron, as his “very tall son,” who then stood to wave to the crowd and put his hand to his ear, gesturing for louder cheers.
According to the White House’s official Instagram account, on his first day in office President Trump signed 42 Executive Orders, Memoranda and Proclamations, 115 Personal Actions, and over 200 Executive Actions.
