Donald Trump has taken the oath of office to become the 45th US president. Follow us live as DW reports on everything you need to know about the controversial real estate mogul and his historic inauguration.
Image: Picture-Alliance/AP Photo/E. Vucci
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We welcome you to our rolling coverage of the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, with the latest news, views and reactions to the 45th President of the United States.
Donald J. Trump, a real estate mogul and self-proclaimed billionaire, has become the 45th President of the United States.
Authorities expected up to 900,000 people to participate in the inauguration celebrations, down from outgoing President Barack Obama's 1.8 million in 2009.
Thousands of people were demonstrating in Washington, protesting his positions on women's rights and climate change.
All updates in Central European Time (CET)
22:42 President Donald Trump and the First Family have arrived at the White House with Vice President Mike Pence and the Second Family.
22:11Trump exited the presidential armored limo known as "The Beast" to walk along the parade route for a short distance near his D.C. hotel with Melania and his son Barron. Some people cheered President Trump's arrival while others boo-ed and waved a Russian flag in the background.
21:49US President Donald Trump and Melania left the Capitol for the inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue to their new home at the White House.
Military bands representing all the US service branches are playing and marching outside the Capitol while the motorcycle police accompany the parade participants.
Image: Reuters/M. Heiman
21:43 Fewer people attended Trump's swearing-in than attended President Barack Obama's first inauguration eight years ago, photo comparisons showed.
Images of the National Mall from Obama's inauguration in 2009 show a crowd stretching from the West Front of the Capitol to the Washington Monument. However, photos taken from the same position on Friday showed large empty areas. Along the parade route, thin crowds gathered along the streets and in semi-empty bleachers.
21:27 Check out DW's summary of the highlights from Trump's inauguration speech:
21:15 Shortly after Trump took the oath of office, the White House website posted seven issues that the new president's administration will address in office to cancel "harmful and unncessary policies."
The website noted a commitment to the "America First" protectionism, particularly in foreign policy.
"Peace through strength will be at the center of that foreign policy," the White House website states, adding that expanding the military will be a top priority. The Trump administration said it will "embrace diplomacy" but is "happy when old enemies become friends and when old friends become allies."
The website also said that Trump is committed to eliminating the Obama administration's Climate Action Plan and other environmental initiatives.
A word search showed that all other references to climate change have been removed from the White House website at this time.
21:03 Towards the end of the Congress lunch, President Trump surprisingly recognized former rival Hillary Clinton and her husband ex-President Bill Clinton.
"I have a lot of respect for those two people," Trump said leading a standing ovation for the Clintons.
President Trump pays tribute to Hillary Clinton
00:33
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21:02 Germany's Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned that the world could be in for a "rough ride" following President Trump's inauguration.
"What we heard today were high nationalistic tones," Gabriel said in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF. "I think we have to prepare for a rough ride."
Europe and Germany must stand together "to defend our interests."
Earlier on Twitter, Gabriel appealed to the American people on Twitter, asking the United States to "stay the land of the free and home of the brave."
Pope Francis also urged Trump to be guided by ethical values that "shaped the history of the American people and your nation's commitment ot the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide."
Russians celebrated Trump's inaguration in Moscow, confident that the new US president will usher in a time of better relations between the two countries.
20:06 Some pockets of protesters have clashed with police in riot gear at the intersection of L Street and 12th Street ahead of the inaugural parade set to take place in an hour. Some of the protesters reportedly threw rocks or bricks at security forces with police responding with pepper spray and flash bang deterrents.
Washington D.C. police have arrested some 90 protesters so far. In a statement posted on Twitter, D.C. police said that a group of protesters "engaged in acts of vadalism" including damaging vehicles.
DW's Maya Shwayder reported that the windows of a limosine were smashed out near Franklin Square.
The majority of protesters and those celebrating Trump's inaguration have been calm as they await the start of the parade, but police presence in the area has been heightened.
19:49 Trump and his wife Melania along with Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence joined lawmakers for a celebratory lunch inside the Capitol.
Upon his arrival, Trump shook hands with his former presidential rival Hillary Clinton, who is attending the event along with her husband, ex-President Bill Clinton.
Lawmakers and the new US president will sit down for a three course lunch including lobster, Angus beef from Virginia and a chocolate souffle with cherry vanilla ice cream.
19:16 In his first act as President, Trump has signed paperwork making his presidency official as well as some executive orders. The full content of his executive orders was not immediately clear, but one of the papers was a piece of legislation allowing retired General James Mattis to serve as the US Defense Secretary.
Currently, a law bars former service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon post. The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military, but the measure Trump signed grants Mattis a one-time exception.
He also signed a proclamation to establish a National Day of Patriotism. There were no immediate details on the event or when it should take place.
18:46 The Obamas leave Washington aboard a presidential helicopter for Joint Base Andrews. He was greeted at the base in Maryland by crowds chanting: "Yes we can!"
18:13 President Donald Trump delivered a concise speech on his goals and vision for the next few years of his presidency. His inauguration speech echoed his dark campaign rhetoric, listing off the country's problems such as inner-city crime and outsourced jobs.
"From this day forward, it's only going to be America first," Trump said addressing the nations of the world. He added that this form of protectionism "will lead to great prosperity and strength."
Trump also vowed to create a global alliance against Islamist terrorism which it will "eradicate completely from the face of the earth."
18:00 Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America.
17:54 US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has sworn-in Mike Pence as the Vice President of the United States.
17:35 President-elect Donald Trump gave a thumbs up and pumped his fist at the cheering crowds gathered at the Capitol and National Mall as he took his place on the inaugural stage. Crowds broke out in chants of "Trump, Trump" shortly before he arrived.
17:23 DW's Alexandra von Nahmen reports that chaotic scenes have erupted on the streets of Washington D.C. as protesters ran from police.
In some areas in the US capital, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters after stones were thrown and some car windows were broken at demonstrations ahead of Trump's swearing-in.
Masked anti-trump demonstrators in Washington
00:37
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17:04 Former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrived at the US Capitol for Trump's inauguration. In the November election, Clinton garnered the most popular votes, but lost to her Republican opponent Trump in the Electoral College votes.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Angelillo
Hillary Clinton posted on Twitter that she was at Trump's inauguration "to honor our democracy and its enduring values. I will never stop believing in our country and its future."
Former President Jimmy Carter was also in attendance with his wife. Obama's Republican predecessor ex-president George W. Bush also attended with his wife Laura. Bush's father, Former President George H.W. Bush was hospitalized this week with pneumonia and was unable to attend.
Image: Reuters/J. Gruber
16:57 President Obama and President-elect Trump have left the White House, traveling in the same car together to the US Capitol. Both men's expressions appeared tense as they entered the presidential motorcade, heading to participate in the ceremony that will formally transfer power to Trump.
16:24 Incoming First Lady Melania Trump channeled famous First Lady Jackie Kennedy with her powder blue suit ensemble for her husband's inauguration. Fashion magazines and social media users praised the fashion choice, which was made by iconic US fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
16:03 British activists dropped a banner reading "Build bridges not walls" on London's iconic Tower Bridge on Friday to protest incoming US President Trump's promise to build a wall on the US-Mexican border.
Image: Reuters/T. Melville
Protesters around the world have unfurled similar banners at famous landmarks to take a stand against Trump's divisive polices, including Germany's Berlin Wall which divided the city between 1961 and 1989.
Greenpeace activists held up rainbow-colored signs at the Berlin Wall landmark reading, "Mr. President, walls divide! Build bridges!"
15:45 Outgoing President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have received the incoming first family, Donald and Melania Trump, at the White House for a tea reception.
On Twitter, Obama bid his followers adieu as Trump transitions into the White House, writing, "I believe in change because I believe in you."
15:30 President Barack Obama left the Oval Office at the White House for the final time. Holding true to custom, Obama left a personal note for his successor, Donald Trump, on the Resolute desk.
When asked by a reporter if he had any final words for the American people, Obama shouted over his shoulder: "Thank you!"
15:26 Trump, his wife Melania and his adult children arrived at St. John's Church close to the White House for an hour-long service before he has tea with outgoing President Barack Obama.
The sermon will be delivered by Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, whose inflammatory remarks about Muslims, Mormons, Catholics and LGBTQ people have draw sharp criticism in the past.
14:53 The incoming president's wife Melania Trump caught flak for wearing large, over-sized Gucci glasses when she visited the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetary on Thursday.
Social media users questioned whether it was appropriate while others called it "rude." The incoming First Lady of the United States, often abbreviated as FLOTUS, has stayed clear of social media since Trump's divisive victory on November 8. While the former model hasn't made a single tweet since then - unlike her husband - her presence in the US has caused a tourism boom in her homeland Slovenia.
14:10 While it's still early morning in Washington, protesters are not wasting time. They have gathered at one of the entrances to the inauguration ceremony in an attempt to block attendees from joining the festivities.
Overnight in New York, celebrities gathered outside Trump International Hotel to voice their concerns about a Trump presidency. Here's a photo of American actor and renowned Trump critic Robert De Niro speaking to crowds about the dangers of the incoming administration.
Robert De Niro speaks at a protest against Donald Trump in front of one of his hotels in New YorkImage: Reuters/S. Keith
13:51 Days before Trump's inauguration, scientists and hackers hurried to copy climate data onto independent servers. The reason? They were worried that the new government could redact and whitewash publicly available scientific research and databases.
13:00 "Expect the unexpected." Presidential rhetoric scholars are at a loss what to expect from Trump’s inaugural address. But what they do know is that it is likely to be remembered for some time to come, not necessarily because of Trump, writes DW's Michael Knigge.
12:40 The spaces in Donald Trump's Cabinet have been filled with several eyebrow-raising nominees. From CEOs of major corporations to climate change deniers, meet Trump's Cabinet.
You're hired: Donald Trump's Cabinet
The spaces in Donald Trump's Cabinet are filling up. Most recently, the nominee for Secretary of the Interior was announced. DW takes a look at who the president-elect has tapped so far for the top jobs.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/S. Walsh
Vice President: Mike Pence
Pence (57) is an experienced politician. After working as a lawyer and conservative talk radio host, he served for 12 years in the House of Representatives before becoming governor of Indiana in 2013. The father of three has strongly opposed abortion rights and same-sex marriage throughout his career. He has described himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order."
Image: Reuter/S. Morgan
Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson
The CEO of oil giant Exxon Mobil has close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin - he was even awarded Russia's "Order of Friendship" in 2013. Despite this, and the Texan businessman's lack of experience in foreign policy, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly approved Tillerson's nomination.
Priebus (44), a lawyer and familiar face on the Wisconsin political scene, has served as director of the Republican National Committee since 2011. He has said that the Trump administration will aim to "create an economy that works for everyone, secure our borders, repeal and replace Obamacare and destroy radical Islamic terrorism."
Image: Reuters/M. Segar
Secretary of the Treasury: Steven Mnuchin
After a long career on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs, Mnuchin (53) set up a hedge fund and made millions of dollars buying and rebranding a failed mortgage lender after the 2008 crash. He has since financed several Hollywood movies. Mnuchin wants to cut taxes for businesses and the middle class and will consider public-private partnerships to fund infrastructure projects.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/C. Kaster
National Security Adviser: Michael Flynn
The retired Army general - and registered Democrat - was fired as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014. He has referred to Islamism as "a vicious cancer inside the body of 1.7 billion people on this planet" and his son, a Trump aide, recently lost his job for spreading a fake news story that claimed Hillary Clinton's allies were running a pedophile ring from a Washington pizzeria.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/M. Reynolds
Attorney General: Jeff Sessions
The Alabama Senator was one of the first members of Congress to endorse Trump. A former lawyer, Sessions (69) takes a hard line on immigration and strongly opposes legalizing of marijuana. Allegations of racism, including a former colleague's testimony that Sessions joked he thought the Ku Klux Klan were "okay, until I found out they smoked pot," cost him a potential federal judgeship in 1986.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Samad
Secretary of Defense: James Mattis
During his 44-year military career, Mattis (66) earned nicknames like "Mad Dog" and "warrior monk." He led the US Central Command from 2011 to 2013, and was a key figure in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His appointment as Defense Secretary would depend on a waiver from the Senate, as US law requires that retired military personnel wait seven years before they can take up this role.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo
Secretary of Homeland Security: John Kelly
Upon his retirement in January 2016, Kelly (66) was the longest serving Marine general in US history. As head of the US Southern Command, he was responsible for US military activity in South and Central America, which included oversight of the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. Kelly's eldest son was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2010.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Balce Ceneta
Secretary of the Interior: Ryan Zinke
The Montana lawmaker and former Navy SEAL commander had been expected to run for the Senate in 2018. Zinke (55) has advocated increased energy drilling and mining on federally controlled land. While skeptical about the urgency of climate change, he does believe it is important for the United States to invest in renewable energy. He describes himself as a "Teddy Roosevelt Republican."
Image: Reuters/N. McDermid
Director, National Intelligence: Dan Coats
The former Indiana senator was US ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005 under the George W. Bush administration. Coats (73) is considered a mainstream Republican and served on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services committees. A vocal critic of Russia, he pushed for Moscow to be punished for its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/S. Walsh
Director, CIA: Mike Pompeo
The Kansas congressman is a member of the Republican Tea Party movement and a former Army tank officer. Pompeo (52) has defended the use of torture methods, such as waterboarding, and opposes the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison. He once said that Edward Snowden, who exposed the National Security Agency's mass domestic surveillance program in 2013, deserved to receive the death penalty.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Loeb
Secretary of Energy: Rick Perry
The two-time presidential hopeful said during his 2012 run that, should he get into the White House, he would scrap the Department of Energy. Perry (66), who served as governor of Texas for 14 years, sits on the board for the parent company of Dakota Access LLC, which is pushing to build the controversial Dakota Access pipeline. He once called Trump a "cancer on conservatism."
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo/P. Vernon
Chief Strategist: Stephen Bannon
The former chairman of right-wing website Breitbart News became Trump's campaign chief in August. His CV also includes stints as a naval officer, investment banker and Hollywood producer. Ben Shapiro, a former editor-at-large of Breitbart, described Bannon as "a nasty figure" and "a smarter version of Trump".
Image: Getty Images/K. Irwin
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Ben Carson
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon from Michigan, made his first foray into politics as one of Trump's rivals in the Republican presidential primary. During the campaign, Carson made controversial comments on topics such as evolution and climate change.
Image: Getty Images/C. Somodevilla
Secretary of Commerce: Wilbur Ross
The investor and former banker made billions in restructuring failing companies in industries such as steel and coal, later investing in troubled European banks during the financial crisis. Ross, 79, was a vocal Trump supporter during the election campaign and believes the US needs a "more radical, new approach to government."
Image: picture-alliance/newscom/J. Angelillo
US Trade Representative: Robert Lighthizer
Lighthizer served as deputy trade representative during Ronald Reagan's presidential administration. He returns to government after working as a lawyer for US steel companies for nearly three decades. Like Trump, the 71-year old has argued that the US needs to defend its economic interests against China more aggressively to reduce the US-China trade deficit.
Image: greatagain.gov - CC BY 4.0
Secretary of Labor: Andy Puzder
Andy Puzder, chief executive of CKE Restaurants, which runs fast food chains Hardee's and Carl's Jr., has long argued against higher minimum wages and government regulation in the workplace. He has frequently criticized the new Labor Department rule that extends overtime pay to more than 4 million workers, and praised the benefits of automation in the fast food industry.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/S. Osman
Secretary of Education: Betsy DeVos
As a prominent figure in the "school choice" movement and chair of the American Federation for Children, DeVos is an advocate of charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately run. She is a long-time Republican Party donor and her father-in-law is Richard DeVos, the billionaire founder of US company Amway.
Image: Picture-Alliance/AP Photo/C. Kaster
Secretary of Transportation: Elaine Chao
In 2001, Chao was appointed Labor Secretary under George W. Bush, becoming the first woman of Asian descent to take a US Cabinet position. She previously worked in banking and as director of the Peace Corps, expanding its presence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Chao (63) immigrated to the USA from Taiwan at the age of eight and is now married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/C. Kaster
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Tom Price
The former orthopedic surgeon was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and named Budget Committee chair in 2015. Price, 62, is a staunch opponent of Obamacare, advocating a system based on medical savings accounts. Price has voted against federal funding for abortion and opposes gun control.
Image: Reuters/J. Roberts
Director, Environmental Protection Agency: Scott Pruitt
Over the past five years, the Oklahoma state attorney general - a vocal climate-change skeptic - has brought multiple lawsuits against the very organization he is now due to lead. Pruitt said: "I intend to run this agency in a way that fosters both responsible protection of the environment and freedom for American businesses.”
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Harnik
Small Business Administration: Linda McMahon
The former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) spent an estimated $100 million on two unsuccessful Senate campaigns in 2010 and 2012. She has supported reduced financial regulation and a lower corporate tax rate. Trump described her as "one of the country's top female executives advising businesses around the globe."
Image: Getty Images/D. Angerer
Director of the Management and Budget Office: Mick Mulvaney
Mulvaney was voted into the House of Representatives in 2011 as a "Tea Party" Republican. As someone who opposes federal governmental spending, the 49-year old from South Carolina could help Trump defund the Affordable Care Act, but might also be at odds with his trillion dollar infrastructure investment plan.
Image: picture-alliance/ P Photo/H. Hamburg
Senior White House adviser: Jared Kushner
Donald Trump's son in law, who already served a pivotal role in his campaign, will also serve as an adviser in the Trump administration. The son of real-estate tycoon Charles Kushner is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka. He previously worked in real estate and publishing and had never worked in politics before the start of the Trump campaign.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/C. Kaster
US Ambassador to the UN: Nikki Haley
Haley (44) is serving her second term as the Governor for South Carolina. After the mass shooting at an African-American church in Charleston in 2015, Haley, who is the daughter of Indian immigrants, pushed for the confederate flag to be removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state house. She referred to Trump's proposal for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US as "un-American."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Reynolds
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: David Shulkin
Shulkin already served as Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health under President Barack Obama. The 57-year old medical doctor previously also worked as Chief Medical Officer at a university hospital in Pennsylvania.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/D. Reuter
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12:27 A day before Trump's inauguration, European Union lawmakers called for an official complaint over his fatalistic view of the bloc. Guy Verhofstadt, the head of the ALDE group, suggested summoning the US ambassador to the EU to "explain Trump's statements."
12:04 Although Trump has claimed that climate change is not real, he may seize opportunities to develop clean energy, says WRI's Government Affairs Director Christina Deconcini.
11:38 Already a real-estate magnate, best-selling author and reality TV star, Donald Trump is about to become the 45th US president. From New Jersey casinos to the "Art of the Deal," here's a look at how the American figure built an empire.
Trump: Mogul, populist, president
Already a real estate magnate, best-selling author and reality TV star, Donald Trump is about to become the 45th US president. Often regarded as an outlandish, comic figure, Trump will soon move into the White House.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
The family, the empire
Surrounded by the ones he loves, Donald Trump with his wife, Melania, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, his sons Eric and Donald, Jr., and grandchildren Kai and Donald John III. His three eldest children are senior vice presidents in the Trump organization.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
From millionaire to billionaire
This picture from 1984 shows Trump opening Harrah's at Trump Plaza, a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It's one of the investments that helped turn Trump, already a millionaire thanks to cash from his father, into a billionaire.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/M. Lederhandler
Off to a good start
Trump inherited the money he used to launch his real estate empire from his father, Frederick. He gave his son a million dollars to start and then, upon his death, left Donald and his three siblings $400 million.
Image: imago/ZUMA Press
What's in a name? Billions.
Donald Trump aggressively invested the money and experienced the market's highs and lows. Long-term success came thanks to Trump Tower in New York City. Trump has said he's worth some $10 billion, but he has not released financial information to prove the claim. Experts estimate he's worth about a third of that.
Image: Getty Images/D. Angerer
"Very good, very smart"
That's what Trump had to say about himself. He studied at the renowned Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor's degree.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B.J. Harpaz
Captain Trump
Before college, Trump was sent to a military academy at the age of 13 to learn discipline. By the time he graduated, he had earned an officer's rank at the academy. During his campaign for president, he said he enjoyed the school's structure and military culture.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/
Heel spurs instead of Vietnam
Despite the military education, Trump did not serve in the Vietnam War. He received four deferments while studying and a fifth for bone spurs in his heels. Trump will be the first US president to enter the White House without having previously served in a public office or the military.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo
Wife number one: Ivana
In 1977, Trump married Ivana Zelnuickova of what was then Czechoslovakia. The pair had three children together, Donald John, Jr., Ivanka Marie and Eric Fredrick. The marriage, however, was plagued with rumors of extra-marital affairs and ended in 1990. Ivana was the one who created Trump's nickname "The Donald."
Image: Getty Images/AFP/Swerzey
Family number two
Trump later married his second wife, Marla Maples. Maples gave birth to their daughter Tiffany in 1993.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo/J. Minchillo
Girls, girls, girls
Trump seemed to enjoy being photographed with women other than his wife by his side. He often visited beauty pageants and posed with young models. From 1996 to 2015, he owned part of all the Miss Universe pageants. Trump would later come under fire for an audio recording of him saying his fame allowed him to grope women without fearing consequences.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/K. Lemm
The Art of the Deal
How do you make a quick million? Trump's best-seller "The Art of the Deal," which was part autobiography, part instruction manual for ambitious businessmen, tried to show readers the way. Already well-known, the book solidified Trump's spot in the public spotlight.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Schwalm
Mixing business and entertainment
Like no other, Trump knew how to grab the public's attention, as seen here in a show for "World Wrestling Entertainment." His unique blend of business and entertainment acumen met in the reality TV show "The Apprentice" where candidates were hired and fired. Trump's favorite line from the show: "You're fired!"
Image: Getty Images/B. Pugliano
Trump's move into politics
Though he had previously had very little contact with governing or politics, Trump announced his presidential candidacy on July 16, 2015. He used "Make America Great Again" as a political slogan and during his election campaign insulted immigrants, Muslims, women and everyone running against him.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Lane
Off to Washington
Whether the showman morphs into a statesman will be seen over Trump's four years in the White House. Views are split as he prepares to take office. But if his life so far is anything to go by, there is no telling what will be next.
