By ETT 
Donald Trump’s Second Inauguration: The Weird and Wonderful Moments
On Monday, Trump was inaugurated for a second time, assuming his role as the 47th president of the United States amid pomp and circumstance.
But no inauguration day is without its surprises, and no programme of events – no matter how meticulously planned – can account for the weird, the wacky and the fascinating moments.
Maga Meets American Idol
After Trump’s inaugural address concluded, country singer Carrie Underwood arrived on stage to sing the patriotic song America the Beautiful.
Underwood, who launched to fame after winning the TV talent show American Idol in 2005, had faced criticism for her decision to perform at the ceremony, particularly among opponents of Trump.
“I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she said in a media statement last week. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
Underwood’s performance didn’t start out smoothly – a technical malfunction cut off backing music just as she was to perform.
“You know the words, help me out here, ” she said after a few moments waiting for the music to return.
The crowd in the rotunda joined her in signing an a cappella version of America the Beautiful that ended with applause.
Awkward Air Kiss as Trump Enters Capitol to Applause
As Trump entered the Capitol, he greeted his wife Melania with a kiss, but the kiss was awkward due to the large size of her hat.
In one of the more awkward moments of the day, Donald Trump greeted his closest allies as he walked on stage to his swearing-in at the Capitol.
When he reached his wife, he leaned in for a kiss, only to find her hat brim made it hard to get close enough to Melania’s face.
The couple settled on an air kiss instead.
The Bros on the Bus
A group of hyper-masculine, ultra-online young men dubbed the “manosphere” has emerged as a growing faction amongst Trump’s diverse mix of supporters.
YouTuber-turned-wrestler Logan Paul and his brother Jake Paul, a professional boxer and influencer, spent the morning documenting their trip to Washington DC on Instagram.
The brothers shared video from inside a chartered bus where Trump’s boys-club was celebrating.
Among them were Theo Von, the mulleted comedian and podcast host who interviewed Trump this autumn, internet prankster Kyle Forgeard and Conor McGregor, the controversial Irish mixed-martial arts fighter.
Bernie’s Mittens? Meet John Fetterman’s Hoodie and Shorts
In 2020, independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders stole the show with his utilitarian coat and patterned mittens – a gift from a constituent – that went viral for their contrast to a day of pomp and circumstance.
This year, Senator John Fetterman donned perhaps the most unique outfit of the day – his signature oversized hoodie, long, loose athletic shorts and sneakers.
It’s a look the Pennsylvania Democrat is famous for – he wears it almost daily and even prompted a change in Senate dress code.
Big Tech Goes to Church
Inauguration Day for Donald Trump kicked off by going to church.
Beside them, the giants of America’s tech industry filled out a billionaire’s pew: Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg; Amazon head Jeff Bezos; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google parent company Alphabet; and Tim Cook, the Apple CEO that Trump once referred to as “Tim Apple”.
Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAl, was also seen at the Capitol.
Notably, the inauguration overlaps with this year’s World Economic Forum in Switzerland – typically a gathering place for tech executives to mingle and assert their influence.
The Gulf Between Trump and Clinton
Trump hit on many of his top priorities in his inaugural address, often to applause from the crowd at both the Capitol and the live watch event at Capital One Arena.
Former presidential rival Hillary Clinton was seen in the crowd behind President Trump, listening as he shared his plans for America to “reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world”.
Reaction online was split, with Trump critics delighting in the moment and Trump supporters decrying it as rude.
It is a controversial proposal that has become a key piece of Trump’s vision for US foreign policy in his second term.
The View from the Top of Bag Mountain
On Friday, forecasts of bitter cold and punishing winds prompted Trump to call for a venue change, turning the traditionally outdoor event into a more private indoor affair.
But some were not expecting the bag-size rules that come with the venue shift.
As the arena filled up, images flowed out of piles of discarded bags, water bottles and other items deemed too large or too risky to be allowed inside.