When I tell someone I was at Trump’s inauguration, the reaction is usually one of admiration and disbelief. The first thing everyone asks is if I’ve seen HIM. Here I immediately confess honestly that I saw the hand sticking out of the window of the presidential limousine for only a second, and even a tiny dot man at a speech near the Lincoln Memorial the day before, and watched the rest of the time. Close-ups of Donald on endless screens – big and small. Don’t think I’m trying to deceive anyone: The press tour I attended in January 2017, when Trump was running for his first term, was titled: “Covering the inauguration of Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States. ” But I didn’t know then that no one would take us to the steps of the Capitol, but that we would be privileged participants in the three-day spectacular that Americans are accustomed to celebrating the inauguration of each new president.
Three days before D-Day, Washington was a bubbling pot of soup. It looked like no one was working. There was a festive, almost New Year’s atmosphere in the air. Even the closure of the streets near the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and the Capitol did not spoil the overall impression. On the contrary, they gave more importance to the moment.
Eight years ago, it was common to make fun of Trump; newspaper covers were full of caricatures, and numerous street stalls sold T-shirts and souvenirs that played on the theme of the bushy, unkempt hair of the future 45th president of the United States. . I couldn’t resist and bought myself a T-shirt that said Love Trumps Hair – you can translate it however you like: literally “I love Trump’s hair” or creatively – “love conquers hair.” I limited myself to taking pictures, taking cotton candy from a plastic jar with the words “Trump’s hair” written on it and the playful threat of “You’re pathetic if you don’t buy this.”
Trump fans were easily identified by their stars-and-stripes bows, “Uncle Sam” top hats known from Soviet cartoons, and national flags. Even opponents of the creator of the famous “Make America great again” slogan seemed pleased. Wearing pink hats with two horns that appeared to symbolize the vagina, women marched in downtown Washington for rights and independence, while some African Americans adorned themselves with portraits of the previous occupant of the White House, Barack Obama, as well as badges and trophies. The cost of Hillary Clinton losing the election to Trump in 2016 was ten times cheaper than the cost of winning. Merchants loudly offered “one dollar for Hillary” but no one accepted. I then wondered what they were going to do with this huge pile of souvenirs and felt a little sorry for Hillary. I think the same fate awaits Kamala Harris this time.
On the morning of the 20th, tickets were given to an event dedicated to Trump’s inauguration. It turned out that at the same time, many prestigious city locations (museums, libraries located in the central part of the American capital) held closed meetings, during which visitors who purchased a fairly large amount of tickets could enjoy large-scale broadcasting of the entire ceremony. in front of the screens and we’ll be treated to food from an endless buffet (we had all the options for the fast food Trump loves: fries, hamburgers, popcorn, cola, etc.) and – most importantly – the presidential motorcade that will take Trump to the ceremony and back from the wide open terrace see in person.
For several hours, waiting for the start, we walked the floors of the news museum in a lively, buzzing crowd, listening to loud broadcasts on TV screens. Those around them seemed completely happy, but they could easily do the same at home and completely free of charge. At first the format seemed strange, but thanks to it I was able to see with my own eyes the hand of the American president in a car surrounded on all sides by foot guards – you know, all these imposing men in coats and coats. dark glasses, we’ve all seen this in American movies. I’m not talking about rooftop snipers and increased security measures; Needless to say, we were searched incessantly during the three days we spent in Washington.
The show did not end after the ceremony, on the contrary, it continued. It turns out that both parties, both winning and defeated, hold so-called “balls” in honor of their candidates. Essentially, these are evening receptions with music and limited alcohol in the same museums, theaters or creative venues. I met and posed for photos with Angelina Jolie’s father and the president’s friend Jon Voight at the Republic Ball (reportedly their friendship has only gotten stronger since then), and I was already there at an event at the Museum of African Art. I was so tired of this glorious celebration of democracy that lists featuring local celebrities had no power. Very expensive tickets are sold for each ball and it is almost impossible to get them, but to an outsider (me) it may seem that there is absolutely nothing to do there.
I am sure that the American capital will also celebrate Trump’s second coming on a grand scale, but this time there will be much less jokes and laughter about America’s 47th President.
The author expresses his personal opinion, which may not coincide with the position of the editors.
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Source: Gazeta

Dolores Johnson is a voice of reason at “Social Bites”. As an opinion writer, she provides her readers with insightful commentary on the most pressing issues of the day. With her well-informed perspectives and clear writing style, Dolores helps readers navigate the complex world of news and politics, providing a balanced and thoughtful view on the most important topics of the moment.