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Donald Trump is now the 47th president of the United States, as well as the 45th president, a businessman – and a man who knows how to put on a show.

A litany of former presidents, Trump family members, tech royalty and world politicians attended the historic event.

As the 78-year-old entered the Rotunda, where the inauguration ceremony was moved to due to freezing temperatures outside, he was met with cheers and applause.

Donald Trump at his inauguration ceremony. Pic: AP
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Donald Trump at his inauguration ceremony. Pic: AP

He reached for his wife Melania, who he awkwardly tried to kiss, and greeted his predecessor, Joe Biden, who was standing opposite the Trump family with now-former vice president Kamala Harris beside him.

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Mr Trump and Melania share awkward kiss

Former US presidents in attendance included Bill Clinton with his wife, former presidential candidate and Trump rival Hilary Clinton.

Barack Obama was also there but without his wife Michelle, while George Bush attended with his wife Laura.

Former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former President Barack Obama. Pic: AP
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Former President George W Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former President Barack Obama. Pic: AP

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive. Pic: AP
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive. Pic: AP

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Mr Trump announced a string of drastic new measures for his second presidential term

The newly-elected president gave his oath with his hands on two bibles, one given to him by his mother and the other being the Lincoln Bible, first used in 1861 to swear in the 16th US president.

The Republican, whose first term in power lasted between 2016 and 2020, then gave a speech in which he announced some sweeping measures on migration, climate change and gender rights.

On the eve of his inauguration, Mr Trump held a final rally in Washington DC, where he hinted at a blizzard of executive orders he would sign once he was back in the Oval Office.

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He was joined on stage by Elon Musk, his new government efficiency tsar, and then had a boogie with none other than the Village People, as they sang their hit YMCA.

Donald Trump dances with The Village People at the final rally before his inauguration. Pic: AP
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Donald Trump dances with The Village People at the final rally before his inauguration. Pic: AP

Elon Musk reacts as President Donald Trump speaks the night before his inauguration. Pic: AP
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Elon Musk reacts as President Donald Trump speaks the night before his inauguration. Pic: AP

After a candlelit dinner at the National Building Museum, he headed back to Blair House, known as The President’s Guest House, to prepare for one of the biggest days in the US political calendar.

Donald Trump speaks the night before his inauguration at the Building Museum. Pic: AP
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Donald Trump speaks the night before his inauguration at the Building Museum. Pic: AP

On Monday morning, the inauguration began. It started at St John’s Church, known as the “Church of the Presidents”.

Donald Trump's vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance arrive at St John's Church. Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump’s vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance arrive at St John’s Church. Pic: Reuters

It is one of the most private events of an inauguration, with no TV cameras allowed inside the small, yellow church.

Donald Trump greets his vice president JD Vance at St John's Church. Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump greets his vice president JD Vance at St John’s Church. Pic: Reuters

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her sons Jospeh and Theodore attend a service at St. John's Church on the inauguration day of his second Presidential term in Washington, U.S. January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
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Ivanka Trump looks after her sons Joseph and Theodore at St John’s Church. Pic: Reuters

After the intimate prayer service, incoming vice president JD Vance went to meet outgoing VP Kamala Harris with their respective partners at the White House.

Vice president Kamala Harris, center right, and her husband Doug Emhoff pose with vice president-elect JD Vance, right, and his wife Usha Vance. Pic: AP
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VPs past and future – Kamala Harris (centre-right) and JD Vance (far right) – and their partners, Doug Emhoff and Usha Vance. Pic: AP

The Trumps headed to tea with the Bidens before the four of them were driven together to the swearing-in ceremony.

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump were greeted by former president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden upon their arrival at the White House. Pic: AP
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Donald and Melania Trump are greeted by former president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House. Pic: AP

When Joe Biden was sworn in four years ago, then president Trump did not afford him the same tradition and instead skipped the whole inauguration.

Members of the US Marine Band, The President's Own, arrive before the inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Pic: AP
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Members of the US Marine Band, The President’s Own, arrive before the inauguration. Pic: AP


While the 46th and 47th presidents took tea, the Rotunda filled with guests and musicians.

On the streets of Washington, thousands gathered to watch it live on screens.

Read more: Everyone wants a piece of Trump outside inauguration

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg ahead of the inauguration. Pic: AP
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Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg ahead of the inauguration. Pic: AP

Guests arrive ahead of the Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda. Pic: AP
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Guests arrive ahead of the presidential inauguration in the Rotunda. Pic: AP

Crowds of supporters brave the cold to watch a live broadcast of the ceremony. Pic: AP
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Crowds of supporters brave the cold to watch a live broadcast of the ceremony. Pic: AP

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Film star Val Kilmer dies aged 65

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Film star Val Kilmer dies aged 65

Val Kilmer, the actor who starred in Top Gun and played Batman and Jim Morrison, has died aged 65.

His daughter Mercedes told the Associated Press he died of pneumonia on Tuesday night in Los Angeles surrounded by family and friends.

Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but later recovered, she said.

The actor, who played Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise in 1986, previously admitted he didn’t want the role, which made him famous.

But he said he begged to be part of the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, even going as far as contacting the producers and creating “heartrending scenes with Iceman”. It would be his final acting role.

Kilmer had a colourful romantic past, having dated Hollywood stars including Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie, Carly Simon and Cher.

He starred in Willow in 1988 and married his British co-star Joanne Whalley. The couple had two children before they divorced in 1996.

Kilmer with his former wife British actress Joanne Whalley in 1989. Pic Shutterstock
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Kilmer with his former wife British actress Joanne Whalley in 1989. Pic Shutterstock

Val Kilmer appeared alongside Nicole Kidman in Batman Forever. Pic: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
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Val Kilmer appeared alongside Nicole Kidman in Batman Forever. Pic: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Kilmer portrayed Batman in the 1995 film Batman Forever and received critical acclaim for his portrayal of rock singer Jim Morrison in the 1991 movie The Doors.

He also starred in True Romance and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, as well as playing criminal Chris Shiherlis in Michael Mann’s 1995 movie Heat and Doc Holiday in the 1993 film Tombstone.

Kilmer was one of the best-paid actors in the 1990s and in 1992 film critic Roger Ebert wrote, “if there is an award for the most unsung leading man of his generation, Kilmer should get it”.

In his 2020 memoir Your Huckleberry, Kilmer discussed his throat cancer diagnosis and recovery.

Actor Josh Brolin wrote on Instagram: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those.

“I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts.”

In an Instagram post actor Josh Gad called Kilmer “an icon”.

He said: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon.”

Val Kilmer in 2017. Pic: AP
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Val Kilmer in 2017. Pic: AP

Kilmer made his Broadway debut in the 1983 production of Slab Boys with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon.

He also appeared in Shakespeare plays in New York – playing the title role in Hamlet and appearing in Henry IV: Part One and As You Like It.

In 2005, he starred on London’s West End in Andrew Rattenbury’s adaptation of The Postman Always Rings Twice at the Playhouse Theatre.

Kilmer also enjoyed painting, with his website describing him as a “talented and prolific artist in a variety of mediums”.

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‘Liberation day is here’: But what will it mean for global trade?

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'Liberation day is here': But what will it mean for global trade?

“Liberation day” was due to be on 1 April. But Donald Trump decided to shift it by a day because he didn’t want anyone to think it was an April fool.

It is no joke for him and it is no joke for governments globally as they brace for his tariff announcements.

It is stunning how little we know about the plans to be announced in the Rose Garden of the White House later today.

It was telling that we didn’t see the President at all on Tuesday. He and all his advisers were huddled in the West Wing, away from the cameras, finalising the tariff plans.

Follow the events of Liberation Day live as they unfold

Three key figures are central to it all.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is the so-called ‘measured voice’. A former hedge fund manager, he has argued for targeted not blanket tariffs.

Peter Navarro is Trump’s senior counsellor for trade and manufacturing. A long-time aide and confidante of the president, he is a true loyalist and a firm believer in the merits of tariffs.

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His economic views are well beyond mainstream economic thought – precisely why he appeals to Trump.

‘Stop that crap’: Trump adviser Peter Navarro reacts to Sky News correspondent’s question over tariffs

The third key character is Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary and the biggest proponent of the full-throttle liberation day tariff juggernaut.

The businessman, philanthropist, Trump fundraiser and billionaire (net worth ranging between $1bn and $2bn) has been among the closest to Trump over the past 73 days of this presidency – frequently in and out of the West Wing.

If anything goes wrong, observers here in Washington suspect Trump will make Lutnick the fall guy.

What are Donald Trump’s tariffs, what is ‘liberation day’ and how does it all affect the UK?

And what if it does all go wrong? What if Trump is actually the April fool?

“It’s going to work…” his press secretary said when asked if it could all be a disaster, driving up the cost of living for Americans and creating global economic chaos.

“The president has a brilliant team who have been studying these issues for decades and we are focussed on restoring the global age of America…” Karoline Leavitt said.

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‘Days of US being ripped off are over’

Dancing to the president’s tune

My sense is that we should see “liberation day” not as the moment it’s all over in terms of negotiations for countries globally as they try to carve out deals with the White House. Rather it should be seen as the start.

Trump, as always, wants to be seen as the one calling the shots, taking control, seizing the limelight. He wants the world to dance to his tune. Today is his moment.

But beyond today, alongside the inevitable tit-for-tat retaliation, expect to see efforts by nations to seek carve-outs and to throw bones to Trump; to identify areas where trade policies can be tweaked to placate the president.

Even small offerings which change little in a material sense could give Trump the chance to spin and present himself as the winning deal maker he craves to be.

One significant challenge for foreign governments and their diplomats in Washington has been engaging the president himself with proposals he might like.

Negotiations take place with a White House team who are themselves unsure where the president will ultimately land. It’s resulted in unsatisfactory speculative negotiations.

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Treasury minister: ‘We’ll do everything to secure a deal’

Too much faith placed in the ‘special relationship’?

The UK believes it’s in a better position than most other countries globally. It sits outside the EU giving it autonomy in its trade policy, its deficit with the US is small, and Trump loves Britain.

It’s true too that the UK government has managed to accelerate trade conversations with the White House on a tariff-free trade partnership. Trump’s threats have forced conversations that would normally sit in the long grass for months.

Yet, for now, the conversations have yielded nothing firm. That’s a worry for sure. Did Keir Starmer have too much faith in the ‘special relationship’?

Downing Street will have identified areas where they can tweak trade policy to placate Trump. Cars maybe? Currently US cars into the UK carry a 10% tariff. Digital services perhaps?

US food? Unlikely – there are non-tariff barriers on US food because the consensus seems to be that chlorinated chicken and the like isn’t something UK consumers want.

Easier access to UK financial services maybe? More visas for Americans?

For now though, everyone is waiting to see what Trump does before they either retaliate or relent and lower their own market barriers.

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Democrat Cory Booker rails against Donald Trump and Elon Musk during marathon Senate speech lasting more than 17 hours

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Democrat Cory Booker rails against Donald Trump and Elon Musk during marathon Senate speech lasting more than 17 hours

A senior Democrat has taken to the Senate floor to speak against US President Donald Trump – with the 17-plus-hour speech still ongoing.

Cory Booker, a New Jersey senator, began speaking around 7pm (midnight in the UK) and said he intended to disrupt the “normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able”.

Referring to Mr Trump’s presidency, he said: “I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.”

As of 5pm in the UK, Mr Booker was still speaking, having spoken for more than 17 hours. He has remained standing for the entire duration, as he would lose control of the floor if he left his desk or sat down.

Read more: Who is the Democrat making a marathon speech against Trump?

As of 4pm, Cory Booker has held the Senate floor for more than 16 hours. Pic: Senate Television / AP
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As of 4pm, Cory Booker has held the Senate floor for more than 16 hours. Pic: Senate Television / AP

Other Democrat senators have joined Mr Booker to ask questions so he can rest his voice, including Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer.

At the start of his speech, Mr Booker said: “These are not normal times in our nation. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.

“The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”

Overnight, he referenced Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Read more:
‘Liberation day’ is coming – one number to keep in mind
Prosecutors directed to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione

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“You think we got civil rights one day because Strom Thurmond – after filibustering for 24 hours – you think we got civil rights because he came to the floor one day and said ‘I’ve seen the light’,” he said.

“No, we got civil rights because people marched for it, sweat for it and [civil rights leader] John Lewis bled for it.”

Only Mr Thurmond and Republican Senator Ted Cruz – who spoke for 21 hours and 19 minutes against the Affordable Care Act in 2013 – have held the Senate floor for longer than Mr Booker.

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