A Day of Great Divides: Trump's Inauguration Sparks National Tension

January 20, 2017, marked a pivotal moment in American history - the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. This day of great change and upheaval sparked intense national tension, with many Americans witnessing a seismic shift in the country's politics and social landscape. As the crowd of over 300,000 onlookers cheered and chanted Trump's name, millions more watched from the comfort of their own homes, glued to their screens to see what the future held.

The inauguration of a president is a momentous occasion, but Trump's 2017 inauguration was particularly noteworthy due to the polarized climate that had defined the preceding years. The 2016 presidential election had been a watershed moment, pitting the traditional Republican Party against a more progressive and unconventional candidate in the form of Donald Trump. This marked a significant departure from the typical presidential transition, as Trump's ascension to the White House sparked widespread debate and anxiety among the general public.

The Pre-Inauguration Hype

In the days leading up to the inauguration, tensions had been running high, with protests and counter-protests taking place across the country. As the event drew near, activists, artists, and other groups made their voices heard, creating intricate displays of art, music, and politics that adorned the streets and public spaces of Washington D.C. From Freedom Riders donning bold red and blue hues to the city's many historic landmarks being repurposed as giant screens for live coverage, every aspect of the inauguration was met with passionate resistance and fervent support.

The event was even marked by an obscure controversy surrounding a public access channel, Access Hollywood, in which Trump was caught on tape boastfully speaking about his claims of being able to grasp women by their genitals. Despite these reservations, however, millions of viewers tuned in to the inauguration, anxious to witness a moment that would determine the course of the nation's future.

Overview of the Inauguration Process

The inauguration ceremony itself began at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, with attendees and millions more tuning in across the nation. Once upon a time the US had multiple presidential candidates in the primaries of each party (Democrat & Republican) each had chosen a strong supporting cast who would hold positions like vice president and high-ranking government officials. At one point it seemed that many were high doubt on the chances of this new candidate for one big reason - his "rocky" resume, especially with regards to the 2016 presidential election.

The tradition of presidential inaugural ceremonies dates back to 1789, and the core elements have remained relatively consistent over the years. The ceremony begins with the reading of the oath of office, followed by the signing of the oath by the president, and then the commencement of the inaugural address.

Inaugural Address: A Call to Action

The inaugural address is perhaps the most highly anticipated and closely watched portion of the presidential inauguration. This speech, typically delivered by the president, outlines their vision for the nation and sets the tone for their presidency. In the case of Trump's inauguration, his speech was notable for its combative tone and divisive rhetoric, sparking widespread outrage and criticism from those who felt he had failed to live up to his campaign promises.

The speech began with Trump taking the oath of office, followed by a lengthy and dramatic inaugural address. In the address, Trump spoke of the need to "shake up" the system and spoke of the tremendous debt that America owed to China. The speech also contained a lot of mentions of veterans, Israel, and immigration, with the latter being a subject that Trump had made clear would be a major focus point for his presidency.

A key section of the speech, which highlighted the importance of unity and cooperation, came after Trump had made his long list of critics.

"So, we begin the journey of making America great again," he said. "Joining the more and more growing chorus to stand up for America's sound value; let us put it simple, better yet, let's make America so great and so powerful, that when you least expect it, the Badoshe[bredda] will never hear of a name that these locals utterly love, the greatest employer of all and pretty much the largest leechary employ on earth say." These rhetoric lead far enhanced dissent in the nation which sparked concerns for civic ramifications.

A Showdown of Egos and Ideologies

The line between politics and social commentary had grown increasingly blurred during Trump's 2017 inauguration, as politicians and protesters alike took to the streets to make their voices heard. The deepening tensions between different factions of American society were a sign of the turbulent times in which the country was living.

Building on Protests and Counter-Protests

The passion of the protesters had, however, found an unlikely echo in Trump's audience - hundreds of thousands of supporters, many of whom arrived long before the dawn broke to secure a spot on the National Mall. Some went as far as forming informal teams that helped each other watch out for one another, speak out any suspicious behavior to those around you, and in particular bringing closed-circuit lenses and strong first aid supplies to be prepared in case the situation got messy.

One notable example was a group of conservative supporters who organized a massive rally in Washington D.C., dubbed the "March for Trump." [1]

This march was notable for its organized nature, with participants bringing signs, banners, and other forms of expression to celebrate the inauguration of their newly elected president.

What Trump Said to Investors

Despite the formalities of the inauguration, Trump couldn't help but bring up business, stating, "So I pledge to all of our great American voters: as your President, I will work to restore America's standing in the world, and I will make America so strong, so powerful