This Friday 20th January, all eyes will be on the USA as Donald Trump will be sworn in as the country’s 45th president at the United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
Both Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, will take the presidential and vice presidential oath of office, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Clarence Thomas respectively.
The inauguration’s theme will be the same as Trump’s now famous campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again” (MAGA).
What time will it be broadcast in SA?
The ceremony’s opening remarks kick off at 11:30am ET (6:30pm South African time) and the swearing in begins at 12pm (7pm our time).
Six clergymen and women are expected to give invocations at the inauguration. Among them are Franklin Graham, the son of America’s most popular clergyman, Billy Graham, who, during his days as an active evangelist was close to and advised a number of US presidents dating back to the 50s.
It’s not yet clear whether eNCA, SABC and ANN7 will livestream the event or broadcast it on their channels, but we’ll post an update once we have links if they’ll broadcast.
Alternatively, you can catch the livestream on Twitter, via a special livestream set up in partnership with an American newshouse.
The livestream page is already up, with comments and article posts flooding in from users.
You can also catch it on YouTube on the Donald Trump Speeches and Rallies channel.
Will there be any South African official in attendance?
As far as any info on whether or not anyone from the Zuma administration will be present, there won’t be anyone representing South Africa there.
Which former US presidents will be there?
Forner Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama and their First Ladies will all be there.
As part of his handover to Trump, Obama and his wife Michelle, will spend about half an hour having tea with Trump and his wife, Melania.
Who is going to perform?
Trump’s inauguration has been marred in controversy, among other issues being the list of celebrities set to perform at the inauguration.
Normally local and international celebs would line up to perform at a presidential inauguration, but many have avoided appearing at the Trump inauguration like the plague.
The following have been listed as performers:
Jackie Evancho
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Rockettes
3 Doors Down
Toby Keith
Lee Greenwood
The Piano Guys
DJ Ravidrums
Big & Rich
Talladega College
Tornado Marching Band
The Frontmen of Country
Singers who turned invitations include Celine Dion and Elton John, among others.
Scheduled protests
Another controversy around the inauguration is the number of protests scheduled for the day.
“The Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) Coalition secured a permit to stage a “mass protest” against Donald Trump, starting at 7 am at DC’s Freedom Plaza. Other groups holding marches include the Occupy Movement, the Democratic Socialists of America, and #DisruptJ20, a group which says it wants to shut down the inauguration,” US website, Mother Jones notes.
Students at various universities will stage a campus walkout on the day.
Dozens of other protests on this week and on Saturday are scheduled to take place.
[Image – CC Gage Skidmore]
