Trump Inauguration to Move Indoors Ahead of Cold Weather

Above: Workers break down parts of the tents set outside for the inauguration of US Pres.-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Jan. 18, 2025. Image copyright: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Contributor via Getty Images

The Facts

  • US Pres.-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that his inauguration ceremony will be moved inside the US Capitol Rotunda due to forecasted severe cold weather, marking the first indoor presidential inauguration in 40 years.

  • The temperature in Washington on Inauguration Day is expected to reach 19°F (-7°C), with wind chill making it feel even colder, prompting concerns about the safety of attendees, law enforcement, and first responders.


The Spin

Narrative A

In line with the decisions of former Presidents William Taft and Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump and his inauguration managers have deemed the weather frigid to take any risks. While some presidents have held outdoor inaugurations under similar conditions, at temperatures under 20 degrees, the goal is for no one to get hurt.

Narrative B

While prioritizing safety is understandable, this decision will break the hearts of those who traveled from across the world to view this historic event in person. Sub-freezing temperatures may be seen as a risk to Trump and other inauguration officials, but those attendees were prepared to brave the cold anyway.


Metaculus Prediction


Public figures in this story