Summary

  1. Senior Trump adviser attacks 'suffering' of Biden yearspublished at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Stephen Miller at the lectern in front of a microphone holding up a finger as he addresses the crowdImage source, Reuters

    Donald Trump's senior adviser Stephen Miller is next to address the packed arena. The inauguration tomorrow marks the beginning of the "golden age of America", he tells the crowd.

    He describes four years of "weakness", "pain", "suffering" and "unprotected open borders", to boos from the crowd at each insult of the Democrats' time in office.

    It's "all going to end" tomorrow, he says, adding that on Monday Trump will sign an executive order "ending the border invasion, sending the illegals home and taking America back", to loud cheers from the crowd.

    He ends by saying the American people "won" and "still control this country" to more loud cheers and screams.

  2. Actor Jon Voight hails 'greatest win of all time'published at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Actor Jon Voight speaks at Maga rallyImage source, Reuters

    Actor Jon Voight - who Trump recently named as one of his special ambassadors to Hollywood - is now addressing the crowd.

    Voight calls Trump's defeat of US President Biden "the greatest win of all time".

    "He will make America thrive again. He will make America great again, safe again and we the people will honour our flag again," he says of the president-elect.

    "A man who never gave up on the American people. And we the people never gave up on him," he says.

  3. 'Let's Make America Rock Again!'published at 21:00 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Kid Rock has just wrapped his performance of All Summer Long.

    We're now hearing Trump's voice broadcast throughout the arena, praising the singer.

    "All of you in attendance are the true backbone of our great country," he says.

    "Let's make America rock again," Trump closes, his voice being remixed as a segue into Kid Rock's next song.

    The musician is now performing his second song, with the refrain "we the people, let's go Brandon" – an anti-Biden heckle.

    His lyrics are a commentary on the current affairs in the US.

    "Inflation is up like the minimum wage, but that BS is about to change," Kid Rock sings.

    "It's time for love and unity".

  4. Kid Rock takes the stagepublished at 20:51 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Kid Rock singing down on one kneeImage source, Reuters

    After an impassioned prayer for Donald Trump, musician Kid Rock takes the stage for the first performance of the night.

    The musician is wearing a black fur jacket, a black hat and sunglasses. He kicks his set of with a rendition of his hit song, All Summer Long and tears off his jacket to reveal a black vest.

    Halfway through the song, he swaps his black hat for a red "Make America Great Again" cap.

  5. Maga rally gets under way with national anthem renditionpublished at 20:38 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    The Maga rally is now beginning, about 30 minutes later than its scheduled start time.

    To kick things off, a singer takes the stage for a performance of the national anthem.

    The crowd responds by chanting "USA!"

  6. 'Maple Syrup Maga': Canadian cohort joins crowdpublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Sumi Somaskanda
    Chief presenter, in Washington DC

    A group of around nine people wearing red jumpers which say "Make Canada Great Again" on the back and "Maple Syrup Maga" on the front"

    Thousands of people have packed into the arena – some have come from across the country and beyond for inauguration ceremonies.

    We spoke to a group of Canadians sporting "Maple Syrup Maga" sweatshirts who said they came to support the president-elect because they believe their country needs his policies as well – a stronger military, less immigration, and fighting what they called a “globalist” agenda.

    They don’t, however, believe Canada should join the US, despite Trump’s jokes about the country becoming the 51st state. “It’s fun to think about though,” they quipped.

  7. Maga rally yet to beginpublished at 20:22 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Trump's victory rally in Washington DC was due to begin at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT), but the event does not appear to have started yet.

    Large numbers are now inside the 20,000-capacity venue, but we're still awaiting our first act or speaker.

    Warm-up music is playing, though. So far, the songs have included Luke Combs' When It Rains It Pours, The Clash's Should I Stay or Should I Go, and The Weeknd's Starboy.

  8. Large crowds still gatheringpublished at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    While wait for the rally to get going, here are some more images from both inside and outside the Capital One Arena in DC, which is now packed with Trump supporters here to make the most of the eve of his inauguration:

    Members of the press set up their lighting inside the arenaImage source, Reuters
    A person holds a "47" placard inside the arena, where the empty seats have flags and "Make America Great Again" placards on themImage source, Reuters
    A man wears a novelty-sized red Maga hatImage source, Reuters
    A man in a red suit holds up a sign saying "golden age of America"Image source, Getty Images
    A cut-out of Trump dancing being held up by the crowdImage source, Getty Images
  9. Trump's victory rally about to begin in DCpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Capitol One Arena fills with people ahead of Trump's victory rallyImage source, Getty Images

    The "Make America Great Again Victory Rally” is due to start any moment.

    The event is being held in a 20,000-capacity arena, and is due to feature musical performers and speeches from high-profile Trump backers.

    Vice-President-elect JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk are among those expected to address the crowd, US media reports.

    Trump himself has not made a large public address in Washington since 6 January 2021, shortly before his supporters stormed the Capitol.

    We'll be covering the event live on this page - follow along by hitting watch live above.

  10. Eggs, bacon and a 40-oz beer: Kid Rock spills his inauguration planspublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Sumi Somaskanda
    Chief presenter, in Washington DC

    A man hands out "Make America Great Again!" placards in the arenaImage source, Getty Images

    We’re in the Capital One Arena where Donald Trump is holding his Make America Great Again Victory Rally.

    It’s not common for a president-elect to hold such an event the day before inauguration – but for Trump, this was an opportunity to put on a campaign-style mass rally before he assumes the duties of the presidency again.

    Despite the sleet and icy temperatures, the president-elect’s supporters have been in high spirts and waiting patiently for hours in long lines amid heightened security to access the arena.

    Elon Musk and Vice President-elect JD Vance are expected to speak.

    And the Village People will perform their iconic hit “YMCA,” which has become an anthem for Donald Trump and his supporters – the president-elect often dances when the song is played, and we saw some of his supporters mimicking the dance today as the band was warming up.

    Kid Rock will also take the stage. Donning a backwards “Make America Great Again” hat, he tells the BBC he’s “feeling great” and will spend inauguration day in his hotel room with "eggs, bacon, and a 40-oz beer" before heading to the inauguration ball in the evening.

  11. Trump supporters flood DC ahead of 'new independence day'published at 19:46 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Emily Atkinson
    Live editor, in Washington DC

    A man dressed in the stars and stripes stands next to a large crowd of Maga supporters in a street, who are wearing ponchos owing to the rainImage source, Reuters

    It's due to get bitterly cold here in Washington DC over the next few days. To make the most of the comparatively balmy 3C (37F) temperatures, I decided to forego the subway and make the hour-long walk to our office here instead.

    Downtown DC has been relatively calm since I arrived in the city just over a week ago. But today, it appeared transformed.

    Ten minutes in and every other person I encountered was wearing a red "Make America Great Again" (Maga) cap. The other half were donning some alternative Trump merch - t-shirts, badges, scarves, embossed jackets. I could go on.

    The crowd of thousands was streaming over to the Capital One Arena, where Trump's rally is due to take place this afternoon.

    I spoke to two women in matching "Trump 2024" beanies who had travelled to the city from Oklahoma. One of the pair, Madison, was also wearing a set of red, white and blue earrings. I asked her about their significance.

    "They're my 4 July earrings," she explained. "I'm wearing them because tomorrow will be a new independence day."

    Army vehicles and personnel are also stationed around the city. The atmosphere does not feel fraught, however - if anything, it resembles something closer to a carnival, with jubilant supporters honking their horns and waving US flags as they make their way through the city.

    The rally is slated to start at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT). Stay with us.

  12. What's Biden up to today?published at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Biden stands at a lectern in front a stained glass windowImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Biden at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina

    Joe Biden is spending his last full day as president in South Carolina – a state that helped propel him to victory in 2020.

    He has been paying tribute to Martin Luther King Jr ahead of Monday's public holiday devoted to the civil rights leader.

    And Biden will also visit the International African American Museum.

    In one of his final acts, the outgoing president has also pardoned five people, including the late civil rights leader Marcus Garvey, and commuted the sentences of two people.

    Garvey, who died in 1940, was a Jamaican-born black nationalist whose conviction in 1923 was believed to be politically motivated.

  13. 'A rally you'll never forget': What's happening later on?published at 19:08 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    A “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” is being held in Washington DC today, with a number of close allies of the president-elect due to speak.

    It’s being held in the Capital One Arena, a venue in central Washington DC with a capacity of around 20,000. It's known for hosting a range of events and acts as the home stadium for the area’s national sports teams.

    It’s due to start at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT), and has been billed as a “victory rally you'll never forget”.

    An official speakers list has not been released, but US media has reported that Vice-President-elect JD Vance, billionaire Elon Musk, and professional wrestler Hulk Hogan are among those due to address the crowd.

  14. Vance and Trump pay respects to US veterans at Arlington Cemeterypublished at 18:53 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    We can bring you pictures now of Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance at Arlington National Cemetery, where they are taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony.

    The cemetery, just outside of Washington DC, holds a special place in US politics and culture as a symbol of service and sacrifice, and is the final resting place of around 400,000 veterans and their dependents.

    A crowd watches on as Trump and JD Vance walk together at a ceremony at Arlington CemeteryImage source, Reuters
    Trump stands in front of a wreathImage source, Reuters
    Melania Trump and Usha Vance watch on at a ceremony at Arlington National CemeteryImage source, Reuters
    Trump's motorcade outside the cemeteryImage source, Reuters
  15. Trump's family await his arrival ahead of wreath-layingpublished at 18:41 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Before today's rally, Donald Trump is set to visit Arlington Cemetery with Vice-President elect JD Vance for a wreath-laying ceremony.

    Several of his family members have been photographed waiting for their arrival, umbrellas in tow:

    Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared KushnerImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner arrive at the cemetary

    Donald Trump JrImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Donald Trump Jr and his family have also been spotted in the crowd

  16. Caps, cut-outs and the stars and stripes - jubilant Trump supporters flood DCpublished at 18:30 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Donald Trump's supporters are out in force on the streets of Washington DD, with a large rally planned for later today.

    Here's a look at the scenes close to where the rally is due to begin at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT).

    A man in revolution-era clothing stands above a crowd holding a microphone, with a US flag behind him and a street filled with people behind himImage source, Reuters
    A cut-out of Trump dancing is held aloft a crowd of Trump supporters that fill a streetImage source, Getty Images
    A Trump supporter wearing a red "Trump-Vance" hat stands with the Capitol building in the backgroundImage source, Getty Images
    A man dressed as a US flag walks past a line of Trump supportersImage source, Reuters
    A person wearing a poncho reading "God, America, Freedom" stands in a streetImage source, Getty Images
  17. Trump supporters gather for victory rally ahead of inaugurationpublished at 18:28 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January

    Ben Hatton
    Live reporter, in Washington DC

    Hello from the BBC bureau in Washington DC. We’re now less than 24 hours from Donald Trump being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.

    The president-elect's supporters are continuing to pour into the capital ahead of the big day despite much of the pageantry being cancelled or moved indoors due to the incoming cold weather.

    A “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” is being held at a 20,000-capacity venue in the city today, with a number of Trump's close allies and supporters due to speak.

    And although he’s not officially in the job yet, Trump already appears to have secured a change in policy, with social media app TikTok saying it will restore its services in the US after the president-elect promised protections for companies that allow it continue operating.

    We’ll be bringing you all the latest throughout the day – stay with us.

  18. With two days before Trump returns - it's protests over, merch outpublished at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January

    Emily Atkinson
    Live editor, in Washington DC

    Souvenirs for Donald Trump's second inauguration are soldImage source, Getty Images

    Thousands of people descended on the US capital today in a wide-ranging show of resistance to the policies of the incoming Trump administration.

    Compared to previous marches, today's was relatively small - groups, made up mainly of women, gathered at various points around Washington, and coalesced on the National Mall to make their final stand.

    Protests aside, the city is a hive of activity. Since it was announced the inauguration was being moved inside due to the cold weather, last-minute efforts to reshape events to suit the Capitol interior have ramped up.

    That doesn't mean the outside isn't getting equal attention - metal barriers stretching as far as the eye can see are lining just about every street in central DC, and more are being erected as I type.

    Judging by the swelling numbers arriving ahead of the big day - and with all the central hotels now fully booked - people appear undeterred by the descending chill.

    Indeed, sourcing extra layers won't be an issue for the Trump-loyal, with makeshift stalls piled high with "Make America Great Again" (Maga) caps, t-shirts and hoodies popping up all over the city.

    Tomorrow is the eve of Trump's inauguration.

    A rally has been organised to mark the occasion, with Elon Musk and Hulk Hogan slated to speak alongside the president-elect to the crowds of supporters that have made the trip to share in this historic moment.

    We'll be back tomorrow to cover all the action with live updates and analysis. Join us then.

  19. Thousands take to streets as DC prepares for new Trump erapublished at 20:11 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January

    Crowds gathered at the National Mall near the Washington MonumentImage source, Reuters

    We'll be ending our live coverage shortly. Before we go, here's a whip around of anything you might have missed from across the day:

    • Thousands of people took to the streets of Washington DC today, two days before the Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office
    • Demonstrators gathered under a banner of issues from reproductive rights to climate change - though organisers say they were unified in confronting "Trumpism"
    • Today's march was a rebranded protest movement, previously known as the Women’s March, which has taken place every year since 2017
    • The BBC's John Sudworth sent us a clip from the National Mall, where protestors gathered to make their final stand
    • The Mall was also expected to feature as part of Trump's inauguration on Monday- but a bitter Arctic blast has forced events to be moved indoors
  20. Has Trump promised too much on US economy?published at 20:05 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January

    Trump gives economy speech in PennsylvaniaImage source, AP

    On Monday, Donald Trump will reclaim the Oval Office for his second term as president of the United States.

    He's promised big changes for the world's largest economy.

    An "end to the devastating inflation crisis", tariffs and big cuts to taxes, regulation and the size of government are all on the agenda.

    This combination, he says, will ignite an economic boom and revive withering faith in the American dream.

    But looming over the president-elect are warnings that many of his policies are more likely to hurt the economy than help it.

    And as he prepares to set his plans in motion, analysts say he is about to run into political and economic realities that will make it hard to deliver all his promises.