Inauguration 2025: ‘It’s my party, I’ll invite who I want to’
The what, the when, the where, the who, the why…. And ‘The Donald’
The what, the when, the where, the who, the why…. And ‘The Donald’
Montage © Facts4EU.Org 2025
Facts4EU.Org looks at President-elect Trump’s Inauguration from a uniquely British angle
At noon US East Coast time (5pm UK time) on Monday 20th January, Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America, having previously occupied that office from 2017 to 2021. He will recite those famous words for the second time :
“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God.”
Photo right: President Trump's oath of allegiance in 2017.
‘The British are coming’
In this penultimate Part III in Facts4EU.Org’s 4-part Presidential Special Trump mini-series, we combine the light-hearted and frivolous with the serious and consequential. As with all of this series, we are sharing with our friends at CIBUK and GB News.
In particular we will focus on areas of interest to the British and European audience as well as looking ahead to subjects to watch in the coming months. We will draw on information from our partners in the States, and this year - for the first time - a member of the Facts4EU team will actually be there, sending us first-hand accounts.
A Brexit Facts4EU.Org Pre-Trump Mini-Series
Trump, defence, and the EU - battlelines drawn
Part I - Even before Monday’s Inauguration, the EU's £½ TRILLION underspend on defence is on Trump’s mind
Part II - Exclusive : President Trump’s secretive Florida meeting with NATO’s new Secretary General
Part III (This report) - President Trump’s Belles and Beaux of the Ball – Which British and European celebs are going?
Part IV - In 14 years as Dutch PM, Rutte never once spent close to the NATO minimum on defence
How to watch the proceedings
The ceremony will be covered worldwide and is expected to be watched by millions. Major networks including BBC 1 and ITV will broadcast the event live, and viewers can also watch via a livestream from the White House. (Details below.) The President-elect’s previous inauguration in 2017 attracted a significant global audience when around 30 million people tuned in from outside the US. This time, with the heightened interest, an even larger audience is expected.
To watch the official proceedings on Monday, click here for the live White House link. The same feed is on YouTube here.
Nigel Farage sets things off in style tonight (Friday)
The first big event to kick things off takes place tonight, at the prestigious Hay Adams Hotel in Washington where Reform UK’s Nigel Farage is hosting a star-studded gathering of around 400 rich and influential figures from the right of US and UK politics.
Billed modestly as “the biggest inauguration party”, the guest list is certainly impressive. Here are some of the names we know about so far.
- Donald Trump: The president-elect himself Donald Trump Jr. and Barron Trump: Trump's sons
- The Rt Hon Liz Truss: Former UK Prime Minister
- Elon Musk : X.com, SpaceX, Tesla, and nominated Cabinet Secretary
- The Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel MP: Conservative shadow foreign secretary
- Lord Mandelson: The UK's soon-to-be ambassador to the US
- Holly Valance, former Neighbours actress and Reform UK supporter
- Zia Yusuf, Chairman, Reform UK
- Nick Candy, Treasurer, Reform UK
- Alexandra Phillips, Talk TV
In addition to the ‘star names’, there will also be other Reform UK MPs, Republican Senators and Representatives, and senior members of the US and UK business community, totalling around 350 in all. It has been rumoured that tickets were sold at £25,000 each to raise money for Reform. The presence of the new President himself is enough to have guaranteed a significant demand for tickets, and represents a major coup for Mr Farage.
Arron Banks, the businessman who invested millions in the Brexit campaign, had bankrolled the event but will be unable to attend due to his electronic visa application being refused. Brexit Facts4EU.Org wholeheartedly condemns the actions of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in what we consider to be a highly-politicised and vindictive move.
Photo left: © Alex Phillips
Conservatives and (one) Labour guest at Mr Farage’s glamourous Friday night ‘bash’
We are not surprised at the presence of Dame Priti Patel, Shadow Foreign Secretary, at Nigel Farage’s big event.
The Independent reported her advertised attendance in the following way: “She infamously once danced with Mr Farage at a Tory conference and has had a good relationship with him as they are both hardline Brexiteers.” Our Chairman can confirm the dance took place as he was present at the time, although it was in fact at a fringe event and not at the Conference itself.
Neither are we surprised at the presence of the Rt Hon Liz Truss, who is proving popular in the States amongst conservative organisations and their members. Lord Mandelson is also no surprise. As he prepares to take over as Sir Keir Starmer’s UK Ambassador to the US (technically HM The King’s Ambassador), he will need all the help he can get from Mr Farage.
‘The sweet smell of success’ – And yes, this is for real
There has been no official announcement, but if there were to be official men’s and women’s fragrances for the Inauguration events, they would no doubt be from the 'Trump Fragrances Collection'.
The website even contains a promo video by the big man himself.
‘Victory 47 - Trump Cologne for Men’ ($199 plus delivery)
“Limited Edition, Numbered Collectible Cologne celebrates President Trump’s historic victory and upcoming inauguration as the 47th President. Featuring his iconic golden statue, *Victory 47* blends rich, masculine notes with a refined, lasting finish.
“For men who lead with strength, confidence, and purpose—this is more than a cologne; it’s a celebration of resilience and success.”
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT - FOR WOMEN ($199 plus delivery)
“The empowering new Perfume from Trump Fragrances. For women who embody strength and grace, like President Trump. This scent is your call to action. With Trump’s iconic image and raised fist, this limited-edition perfume represents confidence, resilience, and victory.
“Crafted for those who rise to every challenge, this elegant scent blends delicate floral notes and a burst of citrus for an elegant finish. Presented in a stunning white and gold bottle, it’s more than a fragrance—it’s a symbol of determination. Inspired by Trump’s unwavering spirit, wear it as a reminder to take on the world with poise.
“For women who fight to win, with strength and grace.”
What’s happening and when
Donald Trump's inauguration weekend is packed with events. Here's a quick rundown:
Saturday, 18 Jan
The President’s reception and fireworks at Trump Sterling
Cabinet Reception and Vice President’s dinner
Sunday, 19 Jan
Arlington National Cemetery ceremony: Wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Make America Great Again victory rally at the Capital One Arena
Candlelight dinner
Monday, 20 Jan: Inauguration day
St. John’s Church Service
Tea at the White House
Musical performances and opening remarks, West Lawn of the US Capitol building, 14:30 GMT
Swearing-In Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol
Farewell to the Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
US Capitol Departure Ceremony
The President’s Signing Room Ceremony
JCCIC Congressional Luncheon
The President’s Review of the Troops
Presidential Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue
Oval Office Signing Ceremony at The White House
Commander in Chief Ball
Liberty Inaugural Ball
Starlight Ball
Tuesday, 21 Jan: The inaugural activities will wrap up with the National Prayer Service
‘To-the-rear Keir’ - Sir Keir Starmer didn’t make the cut
Few readers will forget seeing a predecessor of President Trump, Barack Obama, standing at a podium in Downing Street with a grinning David Cameron next to him, proclaiming that the UK would go “to the back of the queue” for a trade deal, if the British people dared to vote Leave. In terms of invitations to the Inauguration, this is now where Sir Keir finds himself.
Nigel Farage has of course been invited to the Inauguration itself, but notably not one member of His Majesty’s Government made it onto the invitation list, including the PM.
This is presumed to be because of the litany of personal and political attacks on President Trump made on public platforms by almost every senior Labour figure while they were in opposition.
There are many bridges to mend….
Photo left: Sir Keir going down on one knee to BLM, 2020.
When it comes to the EU, they are as out of favour as Sir Keir. The EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was snubbed, as was France’s President Macron and Germany’s Olaf Scholz. To drive the point home, perhaps, President-elect Trump has invited Italy’s right-wing PM, Georgia Meloni. A selection of other invitees is shown below.
- Karen Pierce (British Ambassador to the U.S.)
- French and German Ambassadors
- Indian Foreign Minister
- Argentinian President Javier Milei
- Japanese Foreign Minister
- Right-wing parties : Éric Zemmour (France)
- Tom Van Grieken (Belgium)
- Mateusz Morawiecki (Poland)
- Tino Chrupalla, AfD (Germany)
- Billionaires: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta)
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British chefs are cooking the Inauguration dinner
Turning back to British success, our congratulations go to Robert Chambers, Head Chef at Luca Restaurant in London, and to Angela Hartnett OBE, Executive Chef and proprietor of Murano, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Mayfair, London. They have each been chosen to cook one of the main dishes at the Inauguration Dinner.
Given that the dinner is such a classically American affair, this is a rare honour for both of these highly talented and successful chefs.
Let there be music
With much of the music industry being – as it has always been - somewhat to the left of Jeremy Corbyn, President-elect Trump was quite naturally limited in his choice of musicians to celebrate his special day with him and with the nation. Unsurprisingly, much of the music comes from the 'country' genre, where the politics are generally less left-wing. The full list of music performers and their respective events can be found below:
The Swearing-in ceremony
Eight-time Grammy Award winner and country music superstar Carrie Underwood (pictured right) singing “America the Beautiful”
American Tenor Christopher Macchio – National Anthem
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood
The Make America Great Again Victory Rally
Award winning multiplatinum singer songwriter Kid Rock
Legendary American disco band The Village People
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood
Liberty University’s Praise Choir
The Liberty Ball
ACM Artist of the Decade and Three Time Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean
Legendary American disco band The Village People
Surprise musical guest
The Commander-in-Chief Ball
Award winning country music band Rascal Flatts
Award winning country music singer songwriter Parker McCollum
The Starlight Ball
American singer songwriter Gavin DeGraw
A Guide for New Cabinet Secretaries
Finally, for our readers who have been lucky enough to be appointed to President Trump’s cabinet, Facts4EU.Org brings you ‘A Guide for New Cabinet Secretaries’, written by the official US ‘Center for Presidential Transition’.
We’re sure our readers who have been appointed will not need this, but this guide is intended to support you as a new member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. Developed with input from former Cabinet secretaries and senior federal leaders, it outlines best practices to increase your impact as a leader of a large and complex organization. That should be a load off…..
Observations
Why this long weekend matters to Britain : London-Washington relations are important on all levels
For the United Kingdom, this diplomatic event could prove to have longer term significance if handled in the right way. Relations between London and Washington are understandably strained given their divergent political views. Attempts to create back-channels via intermediaries sympathetic to the Trump administration can only be good for Britain.
If the leader of Reform UK can act as a bridgehead between London and Washington, particularly on trade, then the lavish party he is giving on behalf of the US President will have been worthwhile.
The EU or the US – You can’t have it both ways
How this government pivots in its relations between the US and the EU is one that UK voters will be watching with particular interest. As things stand, Keir Starmer is walking a diplomatic tight rope between the US and the EU and it is vital he does nothing to jeopardise Anglo-American relations in the process. We await to see what happens there.
More broadly, the inauguration of a US President is fundamental to international security. Like it or not, the United States is our principal shield and defender and without its support western democracies are at the mercy of hostile enemies who do not share our views or values.
When the celebrations are over, therefore, a hard reckoning over Europe’s security awaits us. Either the EU joins us and our principal ally in the defence of freedom by committing itself wholeheartedly to our joint obligations inside NATO, or it continues pursuing its own divergent European strategy which would be a catastrophe, providing our sworn enemies with just the kind of opening they crave and allowing them to drive a coach and horses through the entire western alliance.
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[ Sources: White House | Presidential Transition Team | Hay Adams Hotel | Trump Vance Inaugural Committee | US media ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.
Brexit Facts4EU.Org, Fri 17 Jan 2025
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