The much longed for day, the 20th of January 2017, is finally here and Donald Trump has already arrived in Washington as his inauguration ceremony is set to kick off.
The business mogul and reality show star will take the oath of office this Friday and become the 45th President of the United States of America.
Just like during the elections when Donald Trump faced Hillary Clinton in much-publicized elections, the world is watching the inauguration.
Trump promises unity
Donald Trump has pledged to unify America as he addressed cheering supporters at a concert on the eve of his presidential inauguration.
Speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, the president-elect also promised to bring change.
Among attendees at the two-hour event were his family, actor Jon Voight and Soul Man singer Sam Moore.
Mr Trump earlier laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
We’re going to unify our country,” Mr Trump said in brief remarks at the end of the concert.
“We’re going to make America great for all of our people. Everybody, everybody, throughout all of our country. That includes the inner cities.”
“We’re going to do things that haven’t been done for our country for many, many decades.
“It’s going to change, I promise you. It’s going to change.”
Protesters, police scuffle
Protesters and Washington police scuffled Thursday night outside a meeting of pro-Trump conservatives, the first of several demonstrations aimed at disrupting the new administration’s inaugural weekend.
Protesters gathered on 14th Street outside the National Press Club to demonstrate against “DeploraBall,” an event organized by some of Trump’s most fervent supporters.
The name riffs off the campaign description of some Trump backers by his defeated opponent, Hillary Clinton, as a “basket of deplorables.”
As attendees entered the event, demonstrators chanted “Shame” and “Nazis go home” behind a phalanx of police. Some held signs that read “No Alt Reich” and “No Nazi USA.”
Other protesters chanted against the “alt-right,” “fascists” and “Nazi scum,” though it could not be immediately determined who was attending the event.
Some protesters could be seen setting small fires in the streets, though it was unclear what was set ablaze. A motorcycle was damaged on the street, and police could be seen pepper-spraying some protesters.