Trump starts 'two-year race' with huge star-studded rally

President-elect promises to kickstart reforms from day one

- DAVID MADDOX

President-elect Donald Trump took a victory lap at a rally in Washington DC, last night, before he is sworn in for his second term today, four years after losing re-election.

The “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at the Capital One Arena is just one of the many events celebrating the incoming administration. The president-elect gave a campaignstyle speech alongside other MAGA world luminaries, including Elon Musk, the Trump family, and Megyn Kelly.

There were also musical performances from Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood, and the Village People, who joined Mr Trump on stage. Freezing weather is gripping much of the northeastern USA, so the inauguration ceremony today has been moved inside to the Capitol’s rotunda. The last time this happened was at Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985.

On day one, the president-elect plans to sign more than 200 executive orders (a record), covering everything from border security and energy to ending DEI programs.

The Independent has learned that Trump will begin his term with only one-quarter of the staff he needs, a notable failure of the Project 2025 plan to fill all roles from day one.

But Mr Trump and his team will be in “a two-year race” to change the US – and the world – from the moment he is inaugurated inside the Capitol today.

Sources close to the 47th president of the United States of America have privately noted that he has until the midterm elections in November 2026 to fulfil his policy agenda while the Republicans still have control of the Congress and Senate.

After that, the tone will probably switch to who will succeed him as the Republican nominee in 2028, with vice-president JD Vance currently in the driving seat but not guaranteed.