DONALD Trump was welcomed back to Washington with a firework display ahead of today’s Presidential inauguration.
He and wife Melania were also serenaded by an Elvis Presley impersonator at Saturday night’s event.
Mr. Trump, aged 78, addressed a large crowd of supporters at a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” following a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery with his Vice President, JD Vance.
Security has been tightened in the city, following two recent attempts on Mr. Trump’s life prior to his victory over Joe Biden in November.
The event, scheduled at 5 pm UK time, took place indoors for the first time in 40 years due to extremely low temperatures reaching as low as -12C, making security measures more manageable for the security teams.
Organisers said almost a quarter of a million people had been due to attend.
Now a much smaller crowd will cram into the US Capitol’s Rotunda.
Guests will include world leaders — but not EU politicians.
Former US presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will also be among those present, along with tech billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
Brits expected include Ambassador to the US Karen Pierce, former Prime Minister Liz Truss, ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and TV hardman Ant Middleton.
Country star Carrie Underwood will perform America the Beautiful and opera singer Christopher Macchio the national anthem.
Before the ceremony, Trump will go to a morning church service and have tea at the White House with Mr Biden and his First Lady Jill.
And after an Oval Office signing ceremony at the White House, Trump will speak at three inaugural balls.
Wearing matching red “MAGA” hats, Glasgow couple David Alexander, 40, and Shannen Kelly, 30, told how they flew in on Saturday to show their support.
DJ and dad-of-two David said: “We were at Universal Studios in Orlando when Trump got shot.
“It turned into a party atmosphere when he survived.”
Referring to the cold weather, he joked: “I was wearing shorts yesterday and telling people that this is like summer compared to Scotland.”
Last night Mr Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News: “You’re going to hear President Trump talk about how we are entering a golden age of America and how Americans’ hope can be restored in this great nation.
“You’re already feeling that in this city throughout this weekend.”
