Trump set to take charge as 47th US President today

Donald Trump, set to take charge as the 47th President of the United States, returned to Washington on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of an extraordinary inaugural weekend.

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WASHINGTON: The incoming president, whose return to power follows a tumultuous political journey, arrived aboard a C-32 military aircraft from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, ahead of Monday's swearing-in ceremony. This moment signals not only Trump's return to the White House but also the revival of his "Make America Great Again" movement that has cemented his grip over the Republican Party.

The weekend's celebrations began with a lavish 500-member reception at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia on Saturday night. The event featured fireworks and a spectacle that underscored the incoming president's flair for grandeur. Trump's Cabinet nominees, Pete Hegseth and Lee Zeldin, were among the distinguished attendees. Trump, joined by his wife Melania, addressed the crowd and shared a nearly 15-minute video highlighting the night's festivities, complete with a signature Trump dance move at the end.

The festivities continued with a packed schedule in Washington, where Trump stayed at the historic Blair House, located across from the White House. The president-elect's Sunday agenda included a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a rally at Capital One Arena. The rally, titled "Make America Great Again Victory Rally," marked Trump's first major speech in the capital since his controversial January 6, 2021, address. Thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate his return, with performances by artists like Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, and the Village People adding to the spectacle. Unprecedented security measures have been implemented for Monday's events, with approximately 25,000 law enforcement personnel deployed to ensure safety. Unlike the turmoil following the 2020 election, officials do not anticipate protests or violence. Instead, the atmosphere in Washington reflects a mixture of celebration among Trump's supporters and apprehension among his critics.