Ain't no party like a Washington, D.C., party, because a D.C. party don't stop is filled with an intriguing mix of politicians and celebrities who are at least politically aware enough to know when Inauguration Day takes place.
Such was the case Jan. 20 in the nation's capital where everyone from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as their spouses Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, to CEOs Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai came out to watch Donald Trump take the oath of office. Again.
Eight years after the onetime star of The Apprentice was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, the 78-year-old returned to the U.S. Capitol (this time to the rotunda, the frigid temps moving the whole production indoors) to begin his second term as commander-in-chief.
Helping to usher Trump in is Carrie Underwood and the impressive vocals that helped her win American Idol back in 2005.
Tapped to perform "America the Beautiful," the singer was blown away by the invite.
"I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event," Underwood said in a statement to E! News. "I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."
But while the country star joined a slate of performers that included opera singer Christopher Macchio and the Village People—who belted out their hit "Y.M.C.A." at an inaugural eve ball Jan. 19—some notable names sent their regrets to the event that also saw JD Vance become the country's vice president after serving two years as senator.
“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies,” a spokesperson for the said in a statement to E! News. “Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
As such, the former first lady missed a full slate of events, with the president-elect—who lost to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election before beating out Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency in November—attending services at St. John's Church, followed by tea at the White House ahead of the official swearing in.
The day will conclude with three inaugural balls—all featuring remarks from Trump. But before he and wife Melania Trump take to the dance floor, keep reading to relive his big moment.
Barron Trump, Melania Trump & Donald Trump
Take them to church: Barron Trump joined mom Melania Trump (in a coat by American designer Adam Lippes) and his father, president Donald Trump for services at Washington, D.C.'s St. John's Church as part of the 2025 Inauguration Day festivities Jan. 20.
Ivanka Trump
Incoming first daughter Ivanka Trump also put on her Monday best for the church services.
Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Donald Trump & Melania Trump
"Welcome home," President Joe Biden said as he and First Lady Jill Biden greeted the Trumps at the White House.
Usha Vance, Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris & JD Vance
Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff were also on hand to welcome VP JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance at the White House.
Michael Boulous & Tiffany Trump
Pregnant Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos joined her father at the St. John's Church services.
Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner
Former advisor Ivanka was joined at the services by husband Jared Kushner and their kids Arabella, Joseph and Theodore.
Elon Musk
Trump pal Elon Musk took in the view as he arrived inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar & Donald Trump
Before delivering her speech, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar led Biden and Trump out of the White House. "While we have major differences of opinions on policy and the like," she said of chairing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, "I want to make sure this works,” Klobuchar said of the ceremony."
Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush & Laura Bush
Among the former presidents and first ladies on hand: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush and Laura Bush.
George W. Bush, Laura Bush & Barack Obama
With wife Michelle Obama not attending, former president Barack Obama hung with the Bushes.
Mike Pence
Trump's former vice president Mike Pence turned up solo for the ceremony.
Eric Adams
New York City mayor Eric Adams worked the room at the Capitol.
Janet Jones & Wayne Gretzky
Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet Jones were among those who decided to take a shot at watching the inauguration.
Rupert Murdoch & Elena Zhukova
Former Fox Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch (joined by wife Elena Zhukova) was among the billionaire businesspeople in attendance.
Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk
Tech talk: Tesla CEO Musk socialized with Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
Robert F. Kennedy
Trump's pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy came to watch him get sworn in.
Mitch McConnell & Elaine Chao
Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell held tight to wife Elaine Chao.
Jake Paul & Logan Paul
Influencer turned boxer Jake Paul was on hand with his brother, wrestler Logan Paul.
Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined Amazon exec Jeff Bezos, his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, Pichai and Musk on the dias at the Capitol.
Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr.
Trump's kids with first wife Ivana Trump—Ivanka, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump—gathered with Ivanka's husband Kushner.
Barron Trump
Trump's youngest child—New York University student Barron—traveled to Washington, D.C. to watch him take the oath of office for the second time.
Christopher Macchio
Opera tenor Christopher Macchio was tapped to sing the National Anthem. "I was looking forward to seeing 100,000 people spread across the National Mall," he acknowledged to the Associated Press ahead of the events. "Unfortunately I won’t be getting that visual while I perform, but it’s still going to be such a tremendous honor."
Shou Zi Chew
Hours after TikTok went dark (and then restored service) in the United States, CEO Shou Zi Chew turned up at the inauguration.
Tim Cook, Vivek Ramaswamy & Kristi Noem
Apple CEO Tim Cook posed alongside onetime presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem.
Melania Trump & Donald Trump
JD Vance, Usha Vance & Donald Trump
Just before noon, Vance took the oath of office to become vice president while wife Usha and daughter Mirabel looked on.
Rudy Giuliani
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani captured the festivities.
Donald Trump
Minutes after Vance was sworn in, Trump took his oath of office for the second time.
Bernie Sanders
What, no mittens? Vermont senator Bernie Sanders ditched the outerwear for the festitivites inside the Capitol.
Carrie Underwood
After technical difficulties forced her to perform a capella, American Idol's season four winner Carrie Underwood blew the crowd away with her rendition of "America the Beautiful".