Trump gathers at Capital One Arena in preview of his inauguration: NPR

The day before Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president, he and his supporters celebrated the event with an hour-long rally at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

“Tomorrow at noon, the curtain rises on four long years of American decline and we begin a brand new day of American strength, prosperity, dignity and pride,” Trump told the crowd to raucous cheers.

“Once and for all, we will end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington, a failed administration.”

Trump is expected to appear at the same venue tomorrow after his inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol rotunda, after canceling an outdoor parade due to expected freezing weather. Supporters will also be able to watch a live stream of the inauguration from the venue.

He took the opportunity Sunday to preview several of his first-day actions, including on border security, energy and ending the country’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Biden administration in government agencies.

He also celebrated his election victory and took credit for several recent developments, including the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that took effect on Sunday.

“I know Biden says they made a deal, well,” he said, trailing off and laughing to boos from the crowd.

Trump’s pick for Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, joined President Biden’s Middle East envoy in the latest push for deal negotiations.

Trump also welcomed the return online of Tiktok, the popular video app. TikTok was taken offline Saturday night under a law that banned the service nationwide unless it split from its China-based owner, but Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday that he would suspend the law and would extend liability protection to technology companies. which support TikTok.

At Sunday’s rally, he reiterated a proposal he made on social media: that the U.S. government take a 50% stake in the social media platform, without providing further details.

His promotion of TikTok is a reversal from 2020, when Trump attempted to ban the platform.

“Call to Action” for America

Trump supporters stood outside in freezing rain all morning before the rally began.

“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” said Cindy Pugh, who came from the Minneapolis suburbs. “Donald Trump is the best president of my lifetime. He has made so much sacrifice for Americans, including me.”

In November, Trump won the popular vote for the first time. That fact makes this election different from his victory in 2016, Pugh said.

“This victory reflects a compelling call to action from the American people to listen to us, to act on our behalf, and not be beholden to the political establishment. So this feels different to me ” she said.

Several rally speeches, however, took a darker tone.

“All of you who wore the MAGA hats, that was an act of civil disobedience,” political commentator Megyn Kelly told the crowd, referring to the “Make America Great Again” hats. “But wearing that hat for much of the last eight years has also been an act of courage.”

She concluded her speech with an order: “Don’t lean. Never bow.”

And Trump adviser Stephen Miller linked Trump’s multiple legal affairs to the implication that his supporters were themselves threatened by Trump’s opponents.

Trump has been charged in several criminal cases, although his criminal conviction on 34 counts in New York state was the only one to go to trial.

“They charged him, they tried to imprison him and take away his freedom, take away his family, take away his business, take away your voice, your future, take away your hopes, your dreams , your government. your country,” Miller told the crowd.

The rally was attended by musicians Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood, as well as actor Jon Voight and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who Trump said will lead the Department of Government Efficiency group tasked with recommending reductions in government spending. Trump did not mention Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Republican presidential candidate who he also initially asked to lead DOGE.

The Trump campaign did not respond to a question about the size of the crowd at the rally. The Capital One Arena has a capacity of approximately 20,000, according to local media. Fans filled the floor and the two lower levels of seats in the arena, as well as about half of the upper level.