Donald Trump says 'golden age of America begins now' as he is sworn in as President

In his opening remarks, President Trump said that the 'golden age for America begins right now.'

President Donald Trump speaks during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)

Donald Trump heralded the arrival of a "golden age of America" as he took aim at previous administrations in his opening remarks after being sworn in as the 47th US President.

Speaking moments after taking the presidential oath, Mr Trump mentioned how he would sign a number of executive orders in the next few hours.

These would have an effect on immigration and foreign policy among other things.

Due to freezing weather, Trump’s inauguration ceremony was relocated to the rotunda of the US Capitol building.

This iconic sandstone chamber, at the heart of the Capitol, was the scene of chaos on January 6, 2021, when some of his supporters stormed the building in an effort to overturn his election defeat.

At that time, few could have foreseen that Trump—twice impeached and now a convicted criminal—would once again enter the White House.

Follow the latest via our live updates below.

10.30pm: Trump has arrived in Capital One in Washington DC, where he is expected to sign several executive orders.

9.50pm: Trump's deputy White House chief of staff and homeland security advisor, Stephen Miller, wrote on X that migrants should "turn back now".

"All illegal aliens seeking entry into the United States should turn back now. Anyone entering the United States without authorization faces prosecution and expulsion," Mr Miller posted on the platform.

This comes as scenes of anguish occurred on the Mexican side of the borders, as migrants seeking entry into the US with the app CBP One, which allowed them to schedule an appointment, learned their existing appointment had been cancelled.

8.16pm: Addressing the crowd in the Capital One arena during the inauguration ceremonies, Elon Musk said that "this is what victory feels like."

Mr Musk added: "It’s thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured."

During his speech, the X owner  pounded his chest and shot his right arm in an angular motion upwards twice - gestures that were compared to a Nazi salute on social media. 

6.45pm: In the last few minutes, the new President has spoken to more of his supporters who were gathered in Emancipation Hall.

He said that he was advised not to talk about pardoning the January 6 rioters during his inauguration speech.

However, he added: “You’ll be happy, because it’s actions, not words that count. And you’re going to see a lot of action on the J6 hostages.”

He said that those in the hall were part of a "younger, far more beautiful crowd" than the one in the rotunda.

Conor McGregor is seen in the VIP viewing area in Emancipation Hall.

6.20pm: The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have both congratulated President Trump on his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States and in doing so stressed the strong historic and cultural ties between both countries.

Government officials are planning for a full itinerary of St Patrick's Day events under Donald Trump, despite mounting concerns around the impact his presidency will have on Ireland.

6.15pm: What happens next?

It is widely expected that the new President will make his way to the Capitol One Arena in Washington DC, where thousands of his supporters have gathered inside.

Among the attendees in Emancipaton Hall in the Capitol building include Conor McGregor and the Paul brothers.

5.55pm: After a technical malfunction which saw Carrie Underwood perform American the Beautiful acapella, the inauguration ceremony is now concluding with prayers.

5.41pm: Donald Trump has concluded his inaugural address, again circling back to how he opened it by promising a "golden age" for America.

"We will not fail. From this day on, the United States of America will be a free, sovereign and independent nation,"

"The future is ours, and our golden age has just begun."

5.27pm: Another statement that was expected beforehand: Donald Trump says it will become official policy that there are "only two genders —male and female."

He also claims that they will "rename" the gulf of Mexico to the "gulf of America" and "take back" the Panama canal, which he says is being "run by China."

Moments beforehand he pledged to "end the Green New Deal" and "revoke the electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American auto workers."

5.20pm: As expected, the President has declared there is a "national emergency" at the US border with Mexico.

Donald Trump 

"We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens to the places from which they came."

5.10pm: In his opening remarks after taking the oath, President Trump said that the "golden age for America begins right now."

He adds that "every single day of the Trump administration, I will put America first,

Sunlight is pouring over the entire world and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before

"From this moment on, America's decline is over."

5pm: Donald Trump is once again President of the United States.

He took the Presidential oath moments after his vice-president JD Vance.

Donald Trump is once again President of the United States.

4.45 pm: Donald Trump has entered the rotunda.

Meanwhile, in the last few moments, Joe Biden has issued a presidential pardon to members of his family.

"My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me—the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end," he said in a statement.

"That is why I am exercising my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden."

4.15 pm: Former presidents are now being introduced to the attendees, including Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, George W Bush and his wife Laura, and Barack Obama.

Hillary Clinton and former George W. Bush arrive for the Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.

Michelle Obama was not present at the inauguration.

4.10 pm: What happens now?

Mr Trump's incoming executive and cabinet have arrived at the Rotunda building.

Shortly, the Supreme Court judges named by Mr Trump will enter the room.

At around 4.47 pm, Mr Trump will take his presidential oath.

Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)

3.52pm: We do know that Mr Trump plans to sign a number of executive orders after being sworn in.

It is his plan to put his stamp on his new administration on matters ranging from energy to immigration.

3.45pm: Tea time is over in the White House and the incoming president and first lady are on their way to the Capitol building

3pm: Donald Trump has arrived at the White House to have tea with outgoing president Joe Biden and his family.

After that, he will head to the Capitol for his official inauguration 

 Writing for the Irish Examiner, Scott Lucas warns the world to "buckle up for the bumpiest of nights and days.

Trump thrives not only on the destruction of actions taken but on the sword of Damocles of those which may or may not ever be implemented.