Hours after thousands had marched in the “People’s Protest” in the nation’s capital, President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrived in Washington, D.C., Saturday night for the start of the inaugural festivities.
Departing from Palm Beach International Airport, the incoming First Couple traveled to the Beltway with their son, Barron, aboard a U.S. Air Force plane that was provided by President Joe Biden, as a nod to keeping with tradition. Trump’s son Eric and Eric’s wife, Lara, flew on the former and future’s president’s private “Trump Force One,” according to Reuters.
The Trumps were off to a reception and a fireworks display at the Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Va., where a few hundred supporters were expected. A media request to the golf club was not returned Saturday. The member’s only-facility overlooks the Potomac River and features two golf courses, a 75,000-square-foot driving range, swimming pools, 11 tennis courts, a ballroom, a fitness center and other amenities.
Another event on Saturday night’s agenda for the incoming administration was a private dinner for cabinet members that was being hosted by Vice President-elect JD Vance at the National Gallery of Art.
Earlier in the day, thousands rallied at the “People’s March on Washington,” where participants were protesting Trump’s second administration. Speakers reportedly addressed reproductive rights, social justice, racial equality, LGBQT+ rights and other issues that they feel will be at risk under Trump. Eight years ago Trump was greeted with another major demonstration – the “Women’s March,” which brought thousands of people to Washington, D.C..
For Saturday’s departure from the Sunshine State, Trump and his youngest son Barron favored the same all-business dress code – with each wearing a dark suit, a white buttoned-down shirt with gold cufflinks and a tie. The President-elect switched things up a bit with a tonal printed deep purple tie instead of a Republican red one, or the more bipartisan choice of blue that he has chosen for some recent appearances. Monday’s inaugural ceremony for the 78-year-old former and future president faced significant changes. It will be held in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for the first time since Ronald Regan’s 1985 inauguration, due to what is expected to me sub-freezing temperatures.
Well aware of the wintery weather in Washington, D.C., the First Couple and their youngest son deplaned at Dulles International Airport wearing long coats. Melania Trump arrived wearing a charcoal gray coat with black buttons, and a Dolce & Gabbana tone-on-tone Baroque-like jacquard pantsuit in white. Trump also chose a Dolce & Gabbana suit – albeit a dark one – for her official White House portrait. (In 2017 after several leading American designers were outspoken about not wanting to dress the former model, if asked to). Herve Pierre l, who designs for and advises Trump on her wardrobe, became accustomed to shopping at retail for her key appearance looks. Last week he told WWD that European luxury houses are more open to dressing Trump this time around and that consumers contact their stores looking for specific styles that she was photographed wearing.
Her husband’s just-released official portrait has been getting media attention and scrutiny as of late. The close-up of a stern-faced Trump in a blue suit, white shirt and blue tie was unveiled by his chief photographer Daniel Torok on the Elon Musk-owned social media platform “X.” In a video post Wednesday, the lensman revealed a black and white version of the photograph imprinted with Trump’s autograph, as well as one of Vance with his, that were enclosed in printed invitations for inaugural ceremonies’ guests.
As for the swearing-on ceremony moving indoors, Trump posted on Truth Social, “It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).”
