As Donald Trump took the oath of office for his second term as US President, a series of unforgettable moments stole the spotlight from the pomp and circumstance. From an impromptu a cappella performance to a proposal that sparked controversy, here are the most notable surprises from the 2025 inauguration.
A Look Back at the 2025 Inauguration: Surprises and Notable Moments
It’s a rite of passage in the United States for a newly elected president to take the oath of office before their people. On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as the 47th President of the United States, marking a momentous occasion amidst pomp and circumstance.
The Performance That Stopped: Carrie Underwood’s A Cappella Moment
Country singer Carrie Underwood took to the stage to perform patriotic song America the Beautiful. However, her performance was interrupted by a technical malfunction that cut off the backing music just as she began singing. Undeterred, Underwood joined the crowd in signing an a cappella version of the song, which ended with applause.
An Air Kiss Instead of a Kiss
When Trump greeted his wife Melania at the Capitol, he leaned in for a kiss, only to find her hat brim made it hard to get close enough. The couple settled on an air kiss instead, leaving some to wonder about the awkward moment.
The “Bros” on the Bus: A Look into the Manosphere
A group of young men dubbed the “manosphere” emerged as a growing faction among Trump’s supporters. They included YouTuber-turned-wrestler Logan Paul and comedian Theo Von, who were spotted celebrating with Trump in a chartered bus.
Fashion Disasters and Unique Style Choices
Inauguration Day is always a buzzworthy topic when it comes to fashion. However, some attendees stood out for all the wrong reasons. Senator John Fetterman donned an oversized hoodie, long athletic shorts, and sneakers, which sparked debate about his decision to ditch more formal attire.
Big Tech Meets Trump
The inauguration kicked off with a morning service that brought together the faces of Trump’s second administration, including his children and cabinet picks. The tech elite also made an appearance, with billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai attending the event.
A Proposal That Sparked Controversy
Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, a move that has become a key piece of his vision for US foreign policy in his second term. The proposal was met with mixed reactions online, with some critics delighting in the moment and others decrying it as rude.
Bag-Size Rules at the Capitol
As Trump called for a venue change due to forecasts of bitter cold and punishing winds, public ticketholders were directed to gather at Washington DC’s Capital One Arena. However, some attendees were not expecting the bag-size rules that came with the venue shift, leading to piles of discarded bags and water bottles outside the arena.
A Look Back at the 2025 Inauguration
The 2025 inauguration will be remembered for its surprises and notable moments. From Carrie Underwood‘s a cappella performance to Trump’s proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico, there was no shortage of drama and controversy on this momentous occasion.
