United States president-elect Donald Trump has promised to bring an end to “four long years of American decline” during a lively pre-inauguration rally in Washington, DC.
Speaking to a crowd of 20,000 supporters at the Capital One Arena on Sunday, Trump declared, “We’re going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week, and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history.”
He added, “Tomorrow, at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand-new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride. Once and for all, we are going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington.”
Trump, 78, will be sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on Monday at 17:00 GMT. Due to cold weather, the inauguration ceremony has been relocated indoors to the Capitol rotunda, where he will take the presidential oath of office.
President-elect Donald Trump pledged to usher in a “brand-new day of American strength and prosperity” during a high-energy MAGA rally in Washington, DC, on Sunday. Speaking to a packed crowd at the Capital One Arena, Trump outlined plans to tackle issues such as illegal immigration, promote oil drilling, reduce the federal workforce, and eliminate diversity programs.
“By the time the sun sets tomorrow, the invasion of our country will have come to a halt,” Trump declared, referencing stricter border policies he plans to implement immediately.
In his first major Washington address since his controversial January 6, 2021, speech, Trump reiterated his intent to pardon many of the more than 1,500 individuals convicted or charged in connection with the Capitol riots.
Staying true to his populist image, Trump entered the rally through a public entrance, walking through cheering supporters before reaching the stage. He vowed to repeal “every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration” within hours of taking office.
Local reports suggest Trump will take more than 200 executive actions on Monday to reverse key policies of the previous administration.
“You’re going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy. Lots of them,” Trump told his supporters at the rally.
He also said he would release historical files pertaining to the assassination of prominent figures of the 1960s, including President John F Kennedy, his brother Bobby Kennedy, who was shot while running for president, and Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most revered civil rights leaders in the US.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, CEO of Space X, Tesla and the owner of X, once again got top billing at the MAGA rally.
Musk was one of Trump’s most vocal supporters during the recent US election and is due to head the newly created Department of Government Efficiency – better known by its acronym, DOGE – to slash the federal workforce and spending.
The event also featured a performance by Kid Rock and singer Lee Greenwood, whose God Bless the USA is a Trump favourite.
Jon Voight, an actor named by Trump as a special ambassador to Hollywood, declared the president-elect “our hero”.
“A man who never gave up on the American people, and we the people never gave up on him,” said Voight.
