Trump’s Inaugural Celebration to Start at Virginia Golf Club

Donald J. Trump’s Inaugural Events Kick Off at Golf Club in Virginia

President-elect Donald J. Trump is set to commence a series of festive inaugural events with a grand celebration at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia. Scheduled for Saturday, this event will gather approximately 500 donors, friends, and supporters, marking the beginning of festivities that typically honor an incoming U.S. president. According to officials from the inaugural committee, this gala will serve as an initial celebration before a series of ceremonies throughout the inauguration period.

The Trump National Golf Club, which boasts stunning views of the Potomac River, will be the focal point of the event. Upon landing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on his private plane—his personal aircraft adorned with his name in gold letters—Mr. Trump will make his first stop at the club. He will be joined by his wife, Melania Trump, and several family members as they kick off the inaugural celebrations.

Following the opening celebration, Mr. Trump has a busy schedule planned. The next day will see him hosting a rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., where he is expected to engage with supporters following a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. The day will conclude with a candlelight dinner attended by his supporters. On January 20, Mr. Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, a noteworthy milestone as he becomes the only individual besides Grover Cleveland to serve nonconsecutive terms in office.

As for the inaugural festivities, the club’s sprawling facilities will host the event, utilizing the entire clubhouse space. Reports indicate that Mr. Trump’s aides have arranged for hours of music videos to be displayed on numerous televisions across the three floors of the club. The evening promises a vibrant atmosphere with performances lined up, reflecting Mr. Trump’s personal preferences for entertainment at public events.

Among the options for entertainment, a five-hour music playlist is confirmed, featuring well-known performers. Notably, Leo Days, an Elvis impersonator, and Christopher Macchio, a tenor who has previously performed at Republican National Conventions, are set to grace the evening with their acts. Planned pop-up performances throughout the night are expected to contribute to the lively ambiance of the gathering.

In addition to the musical offerings, guests can look forward to an extensive fireworks display, which is likely to illuminate the night sky, all while guests are accommodated in tents set up outside to combat the freezing winter temperatures common in January. The following day’s rally will emphasize Mr. Trump’s connection with his supporters, reinforcing the importance of these events in his political narrative.

Reflecting on the evolution of Mr. Trump’s public support, the rally at Capital One Arena signifies a remarkable shift in political dynamics over the past eight years. In 2017, it would have been unthinkable for Mr. Trump to hold a rally in Washington, D.C., a city known for its Democratic leaning. However, during the 2024 campaign, he strategically hosted rallies in traditionally Democratic strongholds, including a packed event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

One constant in Mr. Trump’s journey through politics has been his affinity for showcasing his properties. In his initial arrival to Washington in January 2017, Trump’s first official stop was the Trump International Hotel, situated in a repurposed federal post office building on Pennsylvania Avenue. The hotel became a hub for his supporters, allies, and administration officials during his tenure in office.

However, the landscape has shifted since Mr. Trump no longer holds the lease to the hotel, which had become contentious due to its federal ownership and accusations of potential conflicts of interest. Despite the complaints from Democrats regarding these ties, many Republicans have cited the ease of arranging events at his properties compared to other venues, where employees may oppose Mr. Trump’s political stances.

The Trump Organization sold the lease of the hotel following Mr. Trump’s exit from office in 2021, marking the end of what had been a primary venue for his gatherings outside the White House. In recent times, his son Eric Trump has been actively pursuing the possibility of reacquiring this property, aiming to restore a significant part of his father’s legacy in Washington.

As the inaugural committee prepares for the upcoming events, reports suggest that they have raised an impressive amount of money exceeding $170 million. This figure significantly surpasses the $107 million garnered for Mr. Trump’s inaugural events in 2017. With a heightened demand for tickets to the various events, the committee has already run out of availability, demonstrating the considerable interest and enthusiasm surrounding Mr. Trump’s return to political prominence. Even amid knowing they might not secure entry, some are continuing to donate, eager to support the burgeoning festivities of the inauguration.