Trump inauguration: Let the era of unpredictability begin
By Washington bureau chief Zoe Daniel
Many questions remain about how closely Donald Trump's actions as president will match his words as a candidate.
Reuters: Brian SnyderHang the bunting, raise the flags, polish the silverware — it's inauguration week in the US where PEOTUS will become POTUS and a new era in American politics will officially begin.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle have already moved their personals out of the White House to make way for incoming president Donald Trump and his family.
The hard drives have been wiped and the desk drawers have been emptied, giving the new administration a clean slate and a fresh start to Make America Great Again.
External Link David Nakamura tweet: "This wall in West Wing used to have Obama photos until earlier today. Oval Office can be seen down hallway."
Around the Capitol, the grandstands have been erected, the statues have been buffed and ribbons have been hung along Pennsylvania Avenue, where the new POTUS will walk part of the way to his new home through the crowds.
Photo Washington DC is preparing for the inauguration ceremony.
AP: Matt Rourke
There's still a sense of "Is this really happening?" in DC, which is a Democratic stronghold and the centre of the political establishment, that Mr Trump has trampled through sheer force of personality and populism.
Many questions remain about how closely his actions as president will match his words as a candidate, and how his unconventional cabinet will operate.
Just on that — did you see Education Secretary Betsy DeVos at her confirmation hearing this week?
She's become something of an internet sensation after struggling to answer questions about measuring student performance, and then suggesting some schools may need guns to ward off grizzly bears.
But actually, no.
Video Trump supporters heading to DC
ABC News
Since November 8 (Gosh, was it that long ago?) we've been in a kind of limbo land of nominations and investigations and confirmations but, after today — it's game on, folks.
Let the era of unpredictability begin, right?
It's something Mr Trump's supporters embrace, because they think it's time to shake up the system, break bad habits, clean up inefficiency and waste and return prosperity to the "[real] people".
His detractors fear it in a volatile global security and economic environment, especially given much of the incoming president's commentary happens on social media where he tends to be if not downright belligerent, at least highly undiplomatic.
Either way, no-one's entirely sure what's to come, but I think we can confidently predict it's unlikely to be boring.
He said…
External Link Donald Trump tweet: "For many years our country has been divided, angry and untrusting. Many say it will never change, the hatred is too deep. IT WILL CHANGE!!!!"
Notwithstanding the myriad of controversies and complexities surrounding Mr Trump's presidency, the above may prove his biggest challenge.
America is historically, racially and economically divided.
Last year's election has also compounded division along class, educational and geographic lines.
He's going to need to somehow get Americans to talk to each other to change that and, after a toxic election campaign, it's a big mountain to climb.
Case in point — the PEOTUS and veteran civil rights activist Democrat Congressman John Lewis have engaged in a war of words this week after Mr Lewis said he would boycott the inauguration because Mr Trump is an "illegitimate" President.
Neither came off looking great after the exchange, which didn't really align with the whole national unity thing on either side.
What's on the menu?
At the inauguration luncheon, guests will be served upmarket surf 'n' turf — Maine lobster and Gulf shrimp, followed by Virginia angus beef and finished with chocolate soufflé.
And, after the big event, Mr Trump and his team will get down to business, promising a series of executive orders to revoke Mr Obama's policies.
Remember Mr Trump's Contract with the American Voter?
It may be worth sticking it up on your fridge with a few magnets and crossing it off over the next 100 days to see how closely the realities of governing match the promises of campaigning.
G'day LA
What else is on Mr Trump's agenda?
According to Roberta Costa of The Washington Post, bringing the Summer Olympics back to the US — as early as 2024.
Big money inauguration
While much of the attention has been focused on celebrities who wouldn't perform at Mr Trump's inauguration festivities, corporate sponsors haven't been anywhere near as coy.
According to The New York Times, big businesses like Chevron ($660,000) and Boeing ($1.3 million) have helped raise more than $131 million for the inauguration festivities — which would be nearly double the record for an inauguration.
According to The Washington Post, big donations come with big rewards, such as candlelight dinners with the President-elect and the future first lady. Intimate.
However, the inauguration party is apparently going to be one of the smallest in years.
39 and 41
Former presidents are usually on hand in Washington to welcome the newest member of their exclusive club.
Mr Obama will obviously be on hand for the peaceful passing of the baton and Bill Clinton and George W Bush will both be joining the festivities.
Even president 39 Jimmy Carter was spotted today flying coach on route from Atlanta.
External Link Greg Bluestein tweet: "Jimmy Carter is on his way to DC for inauguration. A tipster just sent a pic of his flight from ATL. Says he shook hands w everyone. #gapol"
However, president 41, George H W Bush will not be in attendance after being struck down with pneumonia.
He wrote this touching apology letter to the President-Elect:
External Link Jonathan Karl tweet: "@GeorgeHWBush explains why he can't attend inaugural: "My doctor says if I sit outside in January, it likely will put me six feet under""
While the former presidents will be in town, many House Democrats have decided to get as far away as they can from Washington.
Nearly a quarter of them have said they won't attend the inauguration ceremony.
That's provoked accusations of sour grapes.
You be the judge.
External Link Stephen Wolf tweet: "46 of 194 House Democrats so far have announced that they won't attend Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Friday"
Unpopular president?
Mr Trump enters office as the least popular President-elect in four decades, again according to The Washington Post.
His unfavourable rating is at 54 per cent.
In comparison, Mr Obama's, as president-elect, was just 18 per cent in 2009 and even the controversial victory by George W Bush saw him enter office with unfavourable ratings at a seemingly modest 36 per cent.
External Link Mark Berman tweet: "President-elect Trump approaches his inauguration as the least popular incoming president in at least four decades "
It's little surprise crowd numbers are also expected to be down.
Officials suggest there may be 1 million less attendees than at Mr Obama's first inauguration in 2009.
However, part of that may have something to do with hotel prices being up a whopping 927 per cent. Hotels here aren't that cheap to start.
External Link Reid J. Epstein tweet: "Night before Trump's inauguration, no surge pricing on Uber in Washington."
That said, thousands of protesters coming to spoil the party are actually a good outcome for businesses.
Up to 200,000 are expected for the Women's March the day after the inauguration.
Women and men are descending from around the country — and the protest, which grew out of a Facebook page, is expected to be one of the biggest Washington has seen in years.
We'll be there to let you know how it turns out (obviously).
Pence party
Some of the protests have already started.
As one of the unofficial events in the lead up to inauguration day, hundreds of protesters gathered for a Queer Dance Party at Vice President-elect Mike Pence's house.
Yes, that's right.
There was a heavy police presence but the parade was peaceful — and colourful.
Mr Pence was invited to join in, but apparently he wasn't home. Darn.
Making trademarks great again
Mr Trump's meteoric rise to become president has been, in part, propelled by his catchy slogan, Make America Great Again — and, although his political career largely emerged in the past 18 months, the President-elect told The Washington Post he came up with the slogan way back in 2012.
Photo Donald Trump's meteoric rise has been, in part, propelled by his catchy slogan.
Reuters: Mike Segar
Mr Trump was so convinced it was a winner, he had his lawyers trademark it right away.
Are you wondering if he's got a re-election slogan already figured out?
Of course!
The catchphrase for 2020 is Keep America Great!
He's confident.
The war on media
Mr Trump has had a frosty relationship with the press throughout the campaign and since becoming the President-elect.
Last week, he had a brutal exchange with Jim Acosta from CNN.
Video "You are fake news": Trump blasts media
ABC News
Well, it looks like the mainstream media is fighting back.
The New York Times is dropping $5 million into covering Mr Trump and starting a new investigative team based in Washington DC.
Meanwhile, CNN is hiring a new reporter to tackle the so-called "fake news" it was accused of.
It turns out, despite his attacks on media organisations, Mr Trump is galvanising media organisations gearing up for a combative four years.
For now though, Washington DC is trying to accept becoming a Trump town.
External Link andrew kaczynski tweet: "Donald Trump bobbing to kryptonite"
And the White House is ready.
External Link David Nakamura tweet: "Just saw Marine leave station outside West Wing meaning @potus has left too. Offices empty, Obama photos off walls."
Like I said — clean slate.
Let the Trump era begin.
