Donald Trump forced to break major inauguration tradition for first time since 1985
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, News
Rhianna Benson
Featured Image Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, News
Donald Trump's inauguration today (20 January) will mark the first time a key tradition has been broken since 1985.
Kicking off around 5pm UK time, the ceremony will see him sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
The event will see a star-studded string of performances from several musicians - including the likes of Carrie Underwood, who previously told press she's 'honoured' to be a part of this 'historic event', and Nelly, who also defended the move.
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Kid Rock will also perform, sharing the stage with the Village People and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as Greenwood and Liberty University's Praise Choir.
However, an alteration has been made to today's festivities - which follow in a long-standing presidential tradition that has been in place for decades.
Whilst it usually takes place on the Capitol lawn - and did so the first time Trump was sworn in in 2017 - this year, the entire ceremony is being brought indoors.
The decision was made by organisers after a severe bout of freezing weather and abominably cold temperatures gripped the East Coast.
As such, the official address - as well as accompanying speeches - will now take place inside the Capitol's rotunda, rather than in the garden.
The subsequent parade - which will see a handful of chart-topping music stars performing before Trump and his family - will be held indoors at Washington's Capital One Arena in downtown Washington.
All three inaugural balls will also take place here.
The last president to break this same tradition - and host their festivities indoors, as opposed to out in the open - was Ronald Reagan, all the way back in 1985.
That same year, icy winds and minus temperatures meant outdoor celebrations were seen as a threat to health and safety.
According to a statement posted to his Truth Social site, Trump claimed he refuse to 'see people hurt, or injured in any way' by the harsh weather.
"It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of law enforcement, first responders, police K9s and even horses," the message continued, also noting the 'hundreds of thousands' of supporters who'd planned to attend.
"In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly," the father-of-five added.
The BBC, Sky, Channel 4 and ITV will all be airing live coverage of Trump's inauguration.
The White House will also provide a livestream that can be watched anywhere in the world on their website.