Credit: Reuters Photo
Trump's new crypto token jumps ahead of his inauguration
Donald Trump's newly minted cryptocurrency soared on Monday to top $9 billion in market value, drawing in billions in trading volume just hours ahead of the U.S. President-elect's return to the White House.
The meme coin, also known as $TRUMP, surged 73% to $46.06 during Asian hours on Monday, giving it a market capitalisaton of about $9.2 billion, according to CoinMarketCap. Its 24-hour trading volume reached $42.2 billion.
Trump had on Friday launched the digital token branded with an image from his attempted assassination in July, expanding his cryptocurrency interests that already include World Liberty Financial.
Even cryptocurrency community participants were surprised by the launch of Trump's meme coin.
Takeaways from Trump's pre-inauguration rally speech
On the eve of his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump staged a campaign-style rally in frigid Washington where he and his supporters celebrated his win. Here are some takeaways from Trump’s remarks on Sunday:
- As he has been signaling for weeks, Trump is expected to sign a torrent of executive actions on Monday to make good on his campaign promises.
"The American people have given us their trust, and in return, we're going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history,” Trump said.
- Trump vowed to repeal "every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration" within hours of assuming the presidency.
- "We're looking forward to making a lot of changes, and this victory is the start really," said Musk, who will chair Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. But Musk’s advisory role may extend beyond that mandate.
When is the inauguration?
Trump will take the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, at 12 pm EST (10:30 pm ist). It was originally due to take place in front of the US Capitol but will now take place inside the congressional complex because of bitter cold.
Trump will then deliver his inaugural address. In interviews, he has said he intends it to be uplifting and unifying. That would mark a departure from his first Inauguration Day speech in 2017, which detailed a broken country he described as “American Carnage.”
The outgoing president, Democrat Joe Biden, has said he plans to attend the ceremony and witness the transfer of power, a courtesy Trump, a Republican, did not afford him four years earlier.
Country music star Carrie Underwood is scheduled to perform at the swearing-in ceremony.
Who is invited?
Trump has broken with precedent and invited several foreign leaders to the ceremony. Historically, they have not attended the inauguration due to security concerns and have sent diplomats in their stead.
Argentina's president, Javier Milei, a strong supporter of Trump's, has said he will attend, according to reports.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said she hopes to attend. Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending, despite an invitation, but is sending a senior envoy.
Trump adviser Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Jeff Bezos, executive chairman of Amazon and Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, are also attending.
Who covers the cost?
The official events are financed by Trump’s inauguration committee, which is chaired by longtime Trump allies Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer who is Trump's pick to be his Middle East envoy, and Kelly Loeffler, a former US senator and Trump's choice to head the Small Business Administration.
The committee will be responsible for covering the costs of everything but the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, which is borne by taxpayers.
Bezos and Zuckerberg pledged to donate $1 million each to the committee, as have Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Uber and its CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, have each donated $1 million to the fund.
Trump raised a record $106.7 million for his 2017 inauguration festivities. His committee has raised more than $170 million this time, according to media reports
The outgoing president, Democrat Joe Biden, has said he plans to attend the ceremony and witness the transfer of power, a courtesy Trump, a Republican, did not afford him four years earlier.
Donald Trump's swearing in to take place at 10:30 pm ist.
China both hopeful and on edge as Trump returns to White House
Chinese officials and ordinary people are hopeful but on edge as Donald Trump returns to the White House, eager to avoid a repeat of the bruising trade war that drove a wedge between the economic superpowers during his first term.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, in meetings with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other members of the U.S. business community in Washington ahead of Trump's inauguration, said he hoped U.S. companies would "take root" in China and help to stabilise bilateral relations, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Russian rouble strengthens against the dollar ahead of Trump inauguration
The Russian rouble strengthened against the U.S. dollar on Monday ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president, with the Russian currency up more than 10 per cent since the start of the year despite US energy sanctions.
The rouble was up 0.8 per cent at 101.65 to the dollar by 0900 GMT, over-the-counter market data showed. The rouble weakened by 0.35 per cent to 13.82 against China's yuan in trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX).
The Russian currency has mostly strengthened since the start of the year after plunging to its weakest level since March 2022 on Jan. 2. The rouble has been largely unaffected by the latest US sanctions targeting Russia's oil and gas revenue.
Trump to call for 'revolution of common sense' in inaugural address: Report
US President-elect Donald Trump will call for a 'revolution of common sense' during his inaugural address, the Wall Street Journal on Monday said, citing excerpts of his prepared remarks.
"I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country. My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor and the vitality of history's greatest civilization," Trump is expected to say, according to remarks shared with the WSJ.
Pope Francis, in message, offers Trump prayers for 'wisdom, strength'
Pope Francis on Monday offered well-wishes to US President-elect Donald Trump in a traditional message sent ahead of the presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington.
The pontiff, who has previously expressed sharp disagreement with Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, said he would pray that God grants Trump "wisdom, strength and protection" as he takes up the presidency again. (Reuters)
People start to gather near the US Capitol Rotunda building ahead of Trump's inauguration
People start to gather outside the venue - the US Capitol Rotunda building, where President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration is scheduled to be held
Musk-led advisory panel to face lawsuit soon after Trump takes over
Donald Trump's government advisory panel, led by billionaire ally Elon Musk, will be sued soon after the incoming U.S. president is sworn in on Monday, the Washington Post reported, citing a copy of the planned complaint by a public interest law firm. (Reuters)
Crowds are arriving in Washington as Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in for his second term as US president. Trump will deliver an address after the oath and is also expected to attend three inaugural balls in the evening
Biden issues pardons to protect Milley, Fauci, others from Trump retaliation
Donald Trump, who secured victory in the US presidential elections held on November 5, 2024, is scheduled to take oath as the president for the second time in a few hours from now.
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Trump's inauguration completes a triumphant comeback for a political disruptor who survived two impeachment trials, a felony conviction, two assassination attempts and an indictment for attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss.
Trump to lay out trade vision but won't impose new tariffs yet
EAM Jaishankar carries PM Modi's letter for President Trump ahead of inauguration
Jaishankar is representing PM Modi as his special envoy at President Trump's inaugural function on Monday, the sources said.
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Trump attend church service in Washington ahead of big inauguration ceremony
Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump began the day at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, where several tech executives - including the three richest men in the world, Trump confidant Elon Musk, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg - joined him.
Trump to sign orders ending diversity programs, proclaim there are only two sexes
President-elect Donald Trump will issue executive orders upon taking office slashing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and proclaiming that the U.S. federal government will only recognize two sexes, male and female, an incoming White House official said on Monday.
The official added that more actions on DEI - as diversity and inclusion programs are often referred to - were expected very soon, but gave no other details about the planned steps or when they would be announced. (Reuters)
Trump to end birthright US citizenship, incoming White House official says
Inauguration Day: Ceremony begins, Biden welcomes Trump at the White House
US President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump meet with US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden on inauguration day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington
Credit: Reuters Photo
The Trumps have arrived at the White House. They met the Bidens on a gold-trimmed red carpet, exchanging greetings and posing for photos ahead of a private meeting over tea and coffee.
Donald Trump heads towards US Capitol for his inauguration ceremony as 47th President
Donald Trump reaches US Capitol
President Biden and President-elect Donald J. Trump left the White House and rode together in the presidential limousine to the Capitol, where Trump will take the oath of office.
India represented at Trump inauguration by EAM Jaishankar
Former US Presidents and first ladies are currently inside the Capitol Rotunda
Guests have arrived inside the US Capitol for Trump's inauguration
Trump entering Rotunda to be sworn into office following Vance's entrance
President-elect Donald Trump is entering the Capitol Rotunda for his swearing-in ceremony. Vice President-elect JD Vance entered the room moments ago.
J D Vance is expected to take the oath of office first. Trump will follow suit and then deliver his inaugural address.
Today 'we will witness the peaceful transfer of power,' inaugural committee chair says ahead of oath taking by Trump and Vance
JD Vance takes oath as US Vice President, Trump to follow suit
JD Vance is now being sworn in as vice president while being surrounded by his family.
Unlike the president, an oath for the vice president is not specified in the Constitution. Instead, it was created by Congress and appears in the US Code. It’s also the same oath that is taken by other federal officials, including lawmakers.
Donald Trump takes oath as the 47th President of USA
Donald Trump is now being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
Trump begins inaugural speech, says golden age of America begins now
'Scales of justice will be rebalanced', says Donald Trump during inaugural speech as 47th US President
The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and government will end,” Trump said.